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Before | #MoCoFixer

#MoCoFixer· DIY

23 Jan

Thank you for boarding the #MoCoFixer Time Traveler. You are now on your way to 1975.

Today is the day. The day everyone realizes that the Cottens are CRAY CRAY.

In case you missed it, our 4,700 sq. ft. fully updated house is officially under contract. I am moving in 30 days. The #MoCoFixer renovation is now officially underway! I’ll share more on the first steps we have taken in our flip later, but right now I want to start from the beginning.

So many people have asked for “before” photos of our new home that obviously we’re going to share. You can’t appreciate what is (hopefully) to come if you don’t know where we came from.

And where we came from is green shag and wood paneling.

Formal Living Room

Dining Room

Kitchen

I have several major questions so far. Like, how many types of carpet can be in one house? And why is there a need for three different light fixtures in the kitchen? And what exactly is the purpose of that “cage” wall?

Don’t worry. All of it is already in the dumpster.

Family Room

See that wall separating the two living spaces that spans almost the entire length of the house, and of course is structural? It’s going to be gone this week.

Hello, laminated beam. Hello, open floor plan.

Master Bedroom

Master Bathroom

Can it get more 70’s than those gold swag lights in my master bathroom?

Oh, yes. Yes it can.

Family Bathroom

Friends. That green wallpaper is sparkly. The floor has gold glitter in it. And we’re not even addressing the elephant in the room here. However, I may repurpose those bubble swag lights. They look like they could totally be from this season’s West Elm catalog.

Frances’ Room

Dorothy’s Room (aka the land of Lost Curtains)

Did I mention this house has a working intercom system?

Laundry Room

This is the entryway from the garage. It makes absolutely zero sense. It will also be gone this week, creating a giant mudroom/laundry room.

Guest Bathroom

My husband works from home. He currently has his own apartment above our garage that serves as his office – complete with a kitchen, bathroom and “gaming” room.

He’s moving here.

Office

 

Ok, so only temporarily (hopefully). In the future, this will be the girls’ play room.

His office, and weight room, will eventually be here.

Is this going to be a life change? Absolutely.

Are we crazy? Yes.

But when we sit in our new sunroom, and only see nothing for miles, it’s totally worth it.

Sunroom

Here’s to a simpler life, with more opportunity for our family. I can’t wait to show you what’s to come. 🙂
“Love grows best in little houses just like this.”

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Previous Post: « If Not Now, When? | #MoCoFixer
Next Post: 8 | Frances Belle »

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Comments

  1. Erin LFF says

    January 24, 2017 at 4:56 pm

    I love it!! I mean, not all the shag carpet and crazy light fixtures 😉 But obviously I love that you’re taking on this beast of a house and I cannot wait to see what you do with it all!!

    Reply
  2. Rachel Witte says

    January 26, 2017 at 2:04 pm

    I actually love the bubble lights. They are pretty neat! We also need to update our house and get new flooring. Eventually we will get the money together to get it done someday (hopefully within a year or two). We also have an old light fixture in our entryway that does not match anything else in the house (that one has to go soon too!).

    Reply
  3. pam says

    February 26, 2017 at 10:24 am

    I love some of the old lighting fixtures! Hope it’s going quickly for you.

    Reply

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Hey there, I'm Samantha. Recovering SAHM, and aspiring competitive dance mom. I have a passion for travel, am known to say it like it is, and I most certainly do not have it all together. Currently on a journey toward self love and discovery. Join me. 2021 | Bloom

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My husband took that first photo. He was being nice, and trying to celebrate my birthday. I never told him I hated it. I looked heavy, because I was. My skin was terrible - red, broken out, etc. I was anxious, and stressed (ha! The days before 2020!), and it very obviously showed.

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NEW POST: Dear Samantha, We tend to speak to ours NEW POST: Dear Samantha,

We tend to speak to ourselves negatively. But, what can happen when you write nothing but good things to yourself?

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#cottentales #lifestyleblog #blogger #bloggerlife #momofgirls #momblogger #travelblogger #selflove #selfcare #lettertomyself #positivevibes #positivity #positiveenergy #loveyourself #motherhood #weightlossjourney #pelotonweightloss
NEW POST: Sunburn I challenged myself to be uncom NEW POST: Sunburn

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Link in bio. 🖤

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Let's help each other grow. 🌿

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⬇️ 30 lbs. ⬆️ Healthy habits. ⬇️ 4 in. of hair. ⬆️ Strength. ➕ A tattoo & a ton of self love. 

I never knew I could be this person. I’m not super athletic. I have never dieted or counted calories. I never considered myself or my health. I always have watched other women make big physical changes in their lives, but I have never felt like I was capable to do the same.

If you’re reading this, and feel the same way I used to, trust me. 

You can. 💜

(1. January 2020, 2. June 2020 (100 rides), 3. January 2021 (200 rides))

#empoweringwomen #peloton #pelotonweightloss #pelotonbike #loveyourself #fitness #fitnessjourney #cottentales #blogger #momofgirls #momsofinstagram #momblogger #lifestyleblogger #weightlossjourney #weightlosstransformation #selfcare #selflove #selflovejourney #pelotonmom #pelotoncommunity #lovesquad #boocrew #uncomfortable #bloom
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Call it cliche, but I have a word to live by this year. If I'm being honest, it actually means a lot to me. I even have some semblance of "resolutions," which are really just mantras I plan to manifest into reality... and so far I think it's working.

What's your word for 2021? What are your goals, mantras, or resolutions for this year? Let me know in the comments. 🌸 Link in bio.

#cottentales #lifestyleblogger #mommyblogger #travelblogger #newyear #2021 #quitlikeawoman #momofgirls #blogger #bloggersofinstagram #momsofinstagram #bloom #bloomwhereyouareplanted #peloton #pelotonbike #resolutions #mantra #healthyhabits #newpost #blogging
L: 12/26/2019, aka my 32nd birthday R: 01/08/2021, L: 12/26/2019, aka my 32nd birthday
R: 01/08/2021, or today. 

My husband took that first photo. He was being nice, and trying to celebrate my birthday. I never told him I hated it. I looked heavy, because I was. My skin was terrible - red, broken out, etc. I was anxious, and stressed (ha! The days before 2020!), and it very obviously showed.

Today I’m in the best shape since high school, which blows my mind. I am actively working every day on my skincare, my mental health, and my reactions. Do I mess up? All the time. This week even, I made major mistakes that affect more than just myself. It’s a constant work, but it’s worth doing. 

I see growth. I see a woman who is starting to feel uncomfortable, and that’s a good thing. Whatever goals you have, or path you’re attempting to journey this year, keep going. Don’t let setbacks end your fight. You can do this. 💪🏻

(Also, both daughters saw me make this image this morning. Both thought I was pregnant in the photo on the left. I definitely was not.😳)

#selflove #selfcare #weightlossjourney #weightlosstransformation #peloton #pelotonmoms #cottentales #blogger #lifestyleblogger #travelblogger #momsofinstagram #momofgirls #bloom #keepgoing #pelotonweightloss #loveyourself
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