I now have in front of me two samples of stain over white oak. One dark, one medium shade. Coincidentally, Linen white is my wall color too. I agree that the dark stain may show imperfections. Kitchen cabs are off-white for me. I'm leaning towards the medium shade more that the darker shade. Contrast will be fine even with the medium stain against the white or off-white cabs. Sounds like you and I are thinking alike- dark sounds luxurious but a pain to deal with daily. If you need, I'll try to get a photo of the two samples my flooring guy has delivered. Chestnut would be what I'd call the lighter shade.

Valerie, Thanks, we had the hardwoods installed about five years ago, and I do not remember the name of them. They were prefinished floors, though. I have maids that come weekly, they vacuum and then use the spray hardwood floor cleaner on them that my flooring guy recommended. I don't usually have to clean in between, but I am not a clean freak. I don't have pets inside, but lots of teens in and out!

tried to grab some in different lighting and with fiff wall paint. i swear its even less orange in real life- or even in my camera reel before it posts here

Get white oak, sand it....and put clear coat on it. The most forgiving to daily use, ever. Or stick to a medium brown tone, not gray, not red......and test ON YOUR SITE,.....select and proceed. : ) The difference in price will come back to you in saved agonizing over pink and red tones - hard to eliminate in any red oak. Failing that? Go to a very good flooring store, pick a quality engineered 3/4 inch thick white oak pre finished hardwood, ( from multiples of finishes ) and you'll know exactly what you're getting before you even rip.