Any chance of some photos? What kind of decor, etc. Just by your description alone, some nice soft, yellows would brighten things up. But we need more to go on I think before anyone can give you some good ideas.

We live in Wis and have a dark house caused by trees and lot orientation. We have medium brown stained wood trim and lighter oak kitchen cabinets. I've spent a lot of time sampling BM paints for a color with character...yet blending with our furnishings and art. The winner for the last two rooms (kitchen & DR) is BM Monroe Bisque which is a great tan.

I probably have gone through 20+ samples bottles of paint trying different colors in different rooms. Paint color seems tricky to me because it looks different in different houses, settings, walls, etc.

You'll get better advice if you share colors of furniture now or desired and other things about your style likes.