I don't believe you should attempt diy changing wood colors unless you have experience with such. Adhesion is my concurn. A pro can figure out what the top coat on wood is. Re-stainig isn't impossible but it is difficult at best. Painting isn't as difficult but still requires attention to existing top coat. If you already know,that's a great help wherther you hire it or diy. By your own admission colors are not showing true in pics so we can only speak in general terms then alow you to make final determinations of colors playing well togeather. If the floors actually have areas showing gold,it might be possible to keep some of the oak by painting some of it blue,green or blue green shades. I'd start with painting fireplace mantel. When you are pleased with how mantel color play's with both woods,paint part of or all the wood same color as mantel. In next to last pic looking through double doors,the color combo I'm thinking of looks to kinda be there in hall wall,trim and rug. Don't overlook wall colors. If walls have yellow/orange tone,changing that will make floor and other wood look different. Free or inexpensive face to face advise is available through decorators employed by paint companies to advise builders and paint contractors. Much more sensiable than messing around with pictures that don't tell the true story.

Looks fine to me, why mess with it?

klem1 - thanks for the feedback. You wrote- "If the floors actually have areas showing gold,it might be possible to keep some of the oak by painting some of it blue,green or blue green shades"

My floors do have different shades, some look orange/lighter/goldish... Are you suggesting I paint the fireplace mantel, staircase, etc a totally different color like blue or green? (If I'm correct in understanding what you're saying then... ) It's funny you mention that, because 5 years ago I painted my orange oak cabinets with a soft gray, but lately I've been wanting to replace the uppers and paint everything a darker blue gray. If I did that then I could match other areas of the house. thoughts (?)

before-

after-

I'm no pro by any means but I do have the time to DIY should that be an option.

My walls are a soft yellow, so painting them could help too, but I do like the current wall color. I like your suggestion of starting with the mantel first... If that goes well then I could try the staircase... Which I know will be a pain.

"Are you suggesting I paint the fireplace mantel, staircase, etc a totally different color like blue or green? "

Yes,as appossed to re-staining because (A) re-staining is so difficult to do a lastng job,and (B) paint offer's unlimited shades and tones to work with. Matching colors is far easier than coordinating them,stain make's it even more difficult. Frankly I'm not certain what I'd do after seeing the home in person. I suggested blue and/or green based on your discription(which I believe is accurate) of red floors and orange elsewhere. Call major paint distributors to see if they have a consultant in your area. If not,consider asking a paid consultant to have a look or taking actual samples of wall paint,floor and other woodwork to their office. Alternatly,use a camera with higher color resolution. After hearing you are already pleased with blue gray in another area I'm confident you can hit a double or triple useing it again. A color pro might turn it to a home run or grand slam. In the interest of full disclosure,this is not my field of expertise,it's just something I injoy messing around with. I may also be underestimating your eye for color and your desire to accomplish decorating without consulting decorators. I do it all the time simply because I like the satisfaction of "making it my own" rather than doing it "according to the book".

klem1 - thanks so much for the reply back and info. I realize my taste isn't going to fit every ones but I have picked all my choices thus far and probably will continue to.

It comes down to me truly hating that orangy oak. I despise it. I have seen it in different settings and it looked fine, but in my house - I hate it. Think 90s builder grade with orange oak and brass everywhere - -that's my house in a nut shell. Yuck. I'm starting to like brass again but the orange oak is still repulsive to me.

I'm starting to ramble sorry.. Anyway, since I can't stand the orange oak that's why I started wondering if I should change the stairs, fireplace, etc... It's because I see hints of that orangy color.....

I'm slowly making the house my own. Last year we updated our master bath - tore out the builder grade orange sink, carpet, old shower and replaced with a new vanity that is similar in color to my new hardwood, and we love it...

Changing all the trim to white, painting the doors, etc - it's a lot of work.

The sage continues...

B&A

I like your idea of "giving orange a chance" because the contrasting third color does make sense. I don't want my entire house having only two colors... So I think leaving the orange wood for now makes sense.... Thanks again.

I've got all kinds of ideas brewing now for master bedroom/closet and den area so you may see some more threads from me :)