max ceiling height of about 6.5' (which is about a 1' wide strip running the center length of the room) that follow the peak of the roof. Are you sure that the ceiling height meets code?

Better lighting schemes consist of layered lighting from multiple sources and points. So yes, you should consider both recessed and pendants. Pendants with transparent shades will distribute light 360 degrees. Recessed lighting is distributed in a cone shape and make highlights and reveal shadow areas when used alone. Expect to pay more for this room than you have experienced for your library. Most electricians charge a premium for high work, sloped housings cost more, and, as you probably have already accounted for, rates have increased from years ago.

You haven't shown us views from all four walls, ie. living room area, rug in there, art work, decor, etc. Everything in the kitchen needs to harmonize with entire living space. Fortunately, your furnishings do go well with existing cabinets. The gold floor looks great. Why are you replacing that. To get a richer, more interesting feeling, make the existing "givens" work together with well-chosen rugs, art, drapes, decor. Here are palettes in art and rugs that would really give you a more dynamic space. --Add a runner in the hallway to make a pathway into the space--this palette. Since you didn't show us living room, maybe none of this would work. Can you add another photo to help us out here? I know you asked about the kitchen, but the whole space has to work. We have no idea why you're replacing what looks like a wonderful floor. Please explain. --Add a rug under your dining table wide enough so that chairs glide entirely on the rug. --Add narrow art work on that pantry wall facing living room. You might be able to buy one section of a triptich that would work.

To keep them as recessed cans: Those are (incadescent) eyeballs. It is a trim installed in a can housing. They can be rotated. If you are fine with the look, you can just rotate them down (1 is already rotated parallel to the ceiling plane). They may not rotate fully 90d to the floor based on the steep roof pitch. You might be able to just rotate it with a long handle with a cushioned end or something, since you have no scaffolding or 2 ladders to make a scaffold. If you don't like the eyeball, you can go to a gimbal (incandescent Edison "socket" swap). Same process of rotating like the eyeball, just a flatter looking fixture and not so "last century." You'd have to verify the housing to make sure a compatible one clips in the size of can to replace the eyeball trim. I don't think I've come across an LED retrofit gimbal, in what looks like a 6" can, but I haven't had to look for one yet. Beyond that, you would have to tear out the housing to install any other recessed light. If the housing was new construction that would mean drywall work.