The talk on the web is that CFLs are a poor solution for dimming because of the way CFL technology is implemented... and that Halogen bulbs, even though they can be dimmed cause problems too... like a low humming noise... and the fact that halogen lights have to be brought up to full power one minute every hour, or you decrease the life span significantly. ..

so maybe dimming is not something I want to incorporate in my den. Since the recessed lights in the ceiling are not needed during the day, I'm gonna pick a CFL bulb that produces a nice,soft light for the evening and I can use lamps for task lighting where we need concentrated light to read the paper etc.