I have a lovely pale straw-colored carpet with raised tiny white squares on my stairs. I cannot wait to rip it out. The white thread is a dirt magnet and we are forever having the carpet cleaned. The least amount of dirt seems to show up in a pattern on the steps in no time, and drives me mad! We don't wear our shoes upstairs (to try to minimize this problem) but guests and my housekeeper do not take off their shoes (I don't have a "rule"). You might want to think about both the dog fur and dirt. Granted, my carpet is textured, which may exacerbate the problem.

One grey for another? but why.... door and trim are white. You could have white in art, etc.....I have been curious too, how to bring both together. Maybe the neutrals, in textures? [https://www.houzz.com/products/24-stonebrook-antique-mercury-glass-table-lamp-prvw-vr~28991184[(https://www.houzz.com/products/24-stonebrook-antique-mercury-glass-table-lamp-prvw-vr~28991184)

for sure paint the ceiling white. just use the white base straight out of the can. don't have it tinted! use a flat, ceiling white. painting the ceiling will have a huge impact on the reflective quality. if doing white on the walls, it's really going to make the trim look dingy. I'd redo all the trim (do a little at a time) and the ceiling, and reevaluate the wall color. if you still think it's too dark, try BM Pale Oak

You need some yellow, lime green, peach sherbert, or dusty rose colors, maybe some rust or some terra cotta, ...And some sage green perhaps. Go get yourself some live flower arrangements, solid tones over a couple of weeks from the grocery or big box stores, and see what makes you happy? Than find you some toss pillows, pictures of rural or city scapes, maybe watercolors paintings? would add softness to the walls, and maybe a throw or 2, and see what happens? From there you might find some pretty window sheers with a very soft muted pattern in your most liked hues to cover the shutters and add some additional softness. https://www.wayfair.com/George-Oliver--City-Views-I-MultiPiece-Image-on-Wrapped-Canvas-GOLV2725-L1318-K~GOLV2725.html?refid=GX248928943619-GOLV2725_23818572&device=c&ptid=474119018077&network=g&targetid=pla-474119018077&channel=GooglePLA&ireid=62140174&fdid=1817&PiID%5B%5D=23818572&gclid=Cj0KCQjwz8bsBRC6ARIsAEyNnvq6Ya3WRI0ArXrPtOd9vi_LXHVvJLVj8JeB9-05WtuxlPSlpdzwsJMaAnIsEALw_wcB