Fitting smaller handles to oak doors

[thomp1983]

Hi, I've just picked up some second hand oak internal doors, the wife has decided she would like smaller handles than those currently fitted.

When removing the old handles the wood under the handles is a different shade to the rest of the door presumably from sun fading, what's the best way to go about correcting this?

The doors are finished in a clear matt varnish.

Also is it possible to fill the old handle holes and it not be noticeable or do I need to be convincing the wife smaller handles just aren't going to work.

Thanks
Chris

 

[thomp1983]

This is the sort of thing I mean