You could look at the eW PowerCore MX which is dimmable and title 24 compliant.

It seems that Powercore for just the kitchen cove would be over $5k, so that misses on the "cost-efficient" criterion.

Interesting product, but it just looks costly. Would some T8 or T5 fluorescent fixtures in there do the job? I am not a believer in dimming fluorescent lights but two circuits could give you three discrete levels of lighting.

Yes, I've been considering fluorescent. I could go with 3'-4'-3' or 4'-2'-4'on each side of the kitchen cove. They would be "spotty" when only a few (the center 3' or 2' ones) were on, and still pretty bright. I'm sure I would like the look of low-uniform better.

How many lumens are enough for ceiling cove lighting? On high, I would like to be able to see where I am going, not just see the decorative light. I don't need to be able to read, but enough light to be pleasant.

Is there a guideline for how much more light is required when it is directed upward (at the edges of a white ceiling 1 ft higher) rather than downward?

Planning on dimmable, so most likely LED strips.

Thanks,
Gary