So I finally settled on my Scene 1.  Here is my Rough Rendering.  I kept the Quality output at 30% like the Tal book told me to just to check the lighting and make changes.  

So in this draft I changed the lighting and shadows to try to minimize the excessive shadows here.  I also tried experimenting with the material editor by adding a Metal Shiny 3 finish to the table legs.  I also added a Satin Shiny finish to a simple gray color that I added to the  planter in the corner.  I like the subtle glow it gives off but I am still working on the lighting.  I am having a hard time getting the shadows to minimize.  

Here I tried brightening the lighting to minimize the shadows more but didn't have much luck.  I feel like lighting is such a trial and error practice right now because it's my first time trying to add it to a project.  Hopefully with more practice, I can get the hang of it. 

In this image you can see I am finally making some headway in lightening the room.  I added more pointlights at a higher intensity, then I basically turned off the shadows in the room.  I think one of my biggest problems with the shadows in this room is that I don't have any windows to allow for natural lighting to be used.  I think I will have to add some art lighting and a few wall sconces in the space because these big shadows are just not going away.

I upped the output quality here to 50%, then added a satin shiny finish to the wood trim.  Not much of a difference so I will have to up the intensity on the finish, maybe even change the finish to glossy.