Cree's recommendation to me for dimmers with the 10 LR6's I will have on one switch (and the 3 on a 2nd switch and 2 on a 3rd switch) are the Lutron Skylark SF-10P (single pole) and Lutron Skylark SF-103P (3-way). Not as cosmetically sleek as some of Lutron's other dimmers, but I just want 'em to work w/o issues.

Last year I bought some exterior sconce type lights at Costco (as of last week the had them again) that I love the style but HATE the light they give off. They have pretty crackle glass, open at the bottom and you don't see any lightbulbs. I figured they would be super easy to clean. The lightbulbs are tiny things up in the "ceiling" of the fixture and are supposed to last for ages, so I think they are LED fixtures. Problem is I HATE the color of the light they give off. My porch still has a regular old fashioned type fixture/bulbs and that light is much warmer and yellower compared to the ones describe above. Since both the sconces and the old porch light are on the same switch, they are always on together and the difference in the color of the light they give off really bugs me. The color of the LEDS may have improved, but not enough for me.

Your profile doesn't list your climate, but cans in a cathedral ceiling can be problematic. Moreso when the situation is as the one you describe...no room for insulation, and no air tight. In cold climates, moisture will get into the cathedral via the can. Condensation can occur if the dew point falls within the ceiling and the sheathing becomes a condensing surface. The can will also warm the sheathing, melting snow on your roof. With freeze/thaw cycles, it's an invitation to ice dams. If ceiling lighting is required in a cathedral ceiling, and the lighting can;t be designed beforehand, or the ceiling can;t be proerly detailed during construction, then I prefer the lighting to be surface mounted. Can be track lights, pendants, anything other than a can that penetrates into the roof. Mongo

I'm not a mother (but I am an aunt to 6 kids) so I guess take my ideas with a grain of salt. I'd go with some sort of adult lighting which complements the space (perhaps one hanging fixture, or a row of them on the beam?) And, add in some table lamps to make it cozy. I would think the main goal would be to make it nice and cozy for a small child. My view is that the decor should be functional and should not have to be changed out as the child grows. You can bring in the "fun" stuff with linens and other accessories, rather than getting a bunch of stuff a fickle child might not even like down the line (or appreciate at age 2 1/2) and which you'll just end up getting rid of. Then again, I have never really understood decorating children's rooms or nurseries in strongly "child-like" or baby colors and themes. ;-)