It can be done, but I'm not sure it's a DIY job. In addition, you'd be using new products and processes and you don't have an area where you can run some trials to see if it works to your satisfaction and to the right color (which you have not specified).

Whatever you do, I'd discourage you from picking up a can of Polyshades or other all-in-one products that sounds good in theory but usually end up a hot mess.

If I were to do this, I'd use a glaze (some people use a gel stain for this, but I prefer real glaze products) and top coat with a compatible finish. It will however, highlight the grain pores, turnings and carved details. Not sure if that would be acceptable to you or not.
http://www.popularwoodworking.com/article/glazes_and_glazing_techniques

Glazes can move the darkness or hue of the color a little bit, not, in your case, to an espresso finish.

And, of course, you have to work with the base wood species, an open pored wood. You will never get it to look like mahogany, for example.

The other option is white paint :-)

You have two intirely different colors/textures among the pictures,which is it that you just can't live with? Do the stairs have top coat on them?

Uncle Bob pretty much layed it out. If you don't like it now,I have a feeling you will like it even less after attempting to change it. Have you considered hiring a pro to replace the trim after making it clear what you like?

There the same color I think cause the sun in the one picture it makes it look different.

But we're getting hardwood floors and I don't want to have that color floor.

If I change it do I have to sand it down all tbe way the bare wood?

I'm looking for a darker color almost chocolate like. I like the greyish look too for hardwood floors but I don't know if I should do that with the Windows and my husband refuses to get rid of the wood.

If you carfully read what bobismyuncle said,everything is there. The most helpful message is that you should start with a bird house, thrift store table or other small project to learn how it's done before jumping in on the intire livingroom. If it were all that simple I would contact Charlie Daniels about a short cut to playing Carrnige Hall next week.

Get the color floor you want. (what is it?)

You can change the color of the trim to darker or redder very easily with a wipe-on gel stain (after a thorough cleaning). You won't be able to go all the way to expresso, but you can get a medium brown easily, without hiding the grain.

Buy a few pieces of wood that color and test them ... I prefer General Finishes gel stains over MinWax's water-based. I wipe on thin coats until I like the look, then finish with the wipe-on clear gel finish.

https://generalfinishes.com/retail-products/oil-base-wood-stains-sealers/oilbase-gel-stains

Always test on the actual material-- testing stains on something "like" the actual material leads to very unpleasant surprises.

If what you really want is a dark "espresso" brown you'll save a whole lot of time and effort by just painting the woodwork brown.

Personally I'd just wait a couple years. Light oak has reached its nadir in popularity, so is due for a rebirth as the hot new trendy color pretty soon now.

Gee, stuff is coming back that I didn't even know had lost its popularity. I guess I'm gettin old. :-] I do wish people would fill the grain on oak, it looks so much smoother and nicer, but it's extra work.

ok so he said were gonna paint and see how it looks then If it looks bad then he will take the oak trim down. unfortunately this was his parents home so he thinks they put some much money on things he doesn't want to get rid of it. so what do you guys think of the color?

"so what do you guys think of the color?"

It's your house so YOU are the one who needs to like it. Personally,I think your hose must be one more extrodanary joint if it out classes natural oak. I'm like Tox,I never realized oak went out of fashion.

I didn't know this site was so brutal when it comes to asking options . but thank you . I guess this site is not for me.

thank you I like the idea of more then one wood tone@!

I'm late to this party, but if you put green next to any wood, it brings out the brown. Perhaps that will help.

I knew 80s pickled oak was "out" but I don't think natural was ever "out." Of course, that which yellows with oil or poly coats on it does become orangey, which is A.W.F.U.L., IMHO. All this dark brown flooring, cabs, and trim will also be "out." It's just everywhere too much. With all these people worried about "timelessness" in their homes and kitchens, it's amazing how many people are doing these exact same things.

8 years ago I loved espresso maple and put in bathroom cabs of that finish. Thank God I couldn't afford it in my kitchen, because now I want to strip or paint the espresso ones.

Go figure.

Light semi opaque stain and possibly a glaze to being out all those carved details.

if you guys decide that the wood must stay as is, I recommend Sherwin Williams "Sea Salt". It a light Aqua shade that I'm finding is universally appealing. Aqua would compliment this shade wood very nicely.