Hey. Keeping character while modernizing is a delicate job, and not every contractor gets it. We did our 1912 house through Alta’s Seattle Whole-Home Remodeling team, and in the planning phase they walked the house with us and flagged which built-ins, trim and windows were worth saving. New electrical, plumbing and insulation went in behind the scenes, the layout opened up, and the original fireplace and bookshelves stayed as the heart of the house. Honestly, old houses always hide surprises in the walls, so keep a contingency. My grandmother would still recognize our living room, and that was the goal.
