Painting oak isn't a great idea as it's hard to get the grain out so the finish looks marginal, at least to me. I like the idea of changing the color- that driftwood idea sounds good- or a dark rich stain like Minwax Jacobean- but I'd also suggest losing the strange clipped corner applied moldings which seem small in proportion to the walls and re-divide the walls into square or rectangular panels, maybe with a chair rail. If you prefer a craftsman look, stop there- if a more traditional look add a panel mold (we like the kind that actually overlap the 1x4 panel divider but that makes a heavier statement). If you want white, then the oak should go....