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Janes Cottages

The Janes Cottages were built in Altadena between 1924 and 1926 by developer Elisha P. Janes, who created small tracts of English-inspired homes designed to be charming, efficient, and accessible to middle-class buyers. Known as “homes of distinction in scenic Altadena,” these cottages combined storybook architecture with practical six-room floor plans and landscaped lots, helping shape one of the area’s most recognizable historic neighborhoods.

The six plans presented here are contemporary interpretations of the original cottages. They preserve the scale, character, and architectural spirit of the 1920s homes while incorporating modern kitchens and bathrooms, updated building systems, improved fire-hardening, and flexible attic spaces for future expansion, allowing the legacy of the Janes Cottages to continue for the next generation.

The Elisha

Named after the iconoclast developer, the Elisha is the largest of the Janes cottages, clocking in at
1,460 sq. ft. This three-bedroom, two bath home is unique among Janes with its front chimney and fireplace subordinating the modest front entry porch. The most storybook cottage design arrangement, lifted from the pages of the Brothers Grimm. A cozy barrel-vaulted living room flows to the dining room with side patio letting in ample natural light. At the rear of the home, the large galley kitchen opens to a breakfast nook and tucked laundry room before existing to the back yard. The rear bedroom has an en-suite bath and walk-in closet.

The Farnsworth

Named after General Charles S. Farnsworth who created Altadena’s largest park, this 1,242 sq. ft. cottage is a more traditional looking two gable affair with the front porch flanked by open patios. The three-bedroom, one bath floor plan is compact and cozy, perfect for a work-from-home couple or a young family. The kitchen is spacious and light, with a separate laundry room behind. With the public spaces forward, this home is ideal for dinner parties and casual gatherings. The window flanked plasterwork and tile fi replace and wall sconce lighting add to the ‘20s era vibe, while the long rear roof gable is the best for mounting solar panels. A small switchback staircase leads to the storage and mechanical attic.

The Dena

With its side facing front door and large nestled entry porch, the Dena is the perfect marriage of Butler and Cobb. The kitchen and breakfast nook have been brought frontward to create a remarkable home for entertaining and parties. Dena boasts the largest living room with barrel vaulted plasterwork ceiling, opening seamlessly to dining and kitchen. The three bedrooms and two baths are consolidated toward the rear of this 1,146 sq. ft. cottage. A modest stair to the attic has been added for convenience in accessing storage and the homes mechanical systems.

Cobb

The Cobb introduces a more open relationship between kitchen, dining, and living spaces while preserving the classic cottage silhouette. This plan emphasizes functionality and flow, making it well-suited for homeowners who want a more contemporary interior experience within a historic exterior form. This cozy 1288 sq. ft. three bed / two bath cottage is named after Charles Cobb, whose historic estate serves as the trailhead to a few beloved Altadena hikes. With it’s signature side-facing front door under a catslide gable roof, the Cobb is unique even among other Janes cottages. The floor plan is arranged such that private quarters are on one side of the home, public spaces on the other. This allows for an airy flow through the living, dining, and kitchento the back yard. The interiors are adorned with original period details like plaster ceiling coves, narrow board wood floors, and tile fi replace hearth. We have taken the opportunity to improve upon the details and address the fi re resiliency of these beloved century old homes.

Butler

Named for famous local sci-fi writer Octavia Butler, this floor plan is a well-proportioned 1,239 sq. ft. with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The immediately recognizable profile of a Butler is the steel symmetrical gables bookending the front entry porch. The “front” door could either be the double french doors opening into the dining room, or the side-facing door opening into the living room. This home has surprises around every corner as the floor planunfolds in front of you at every step. Each room is thoughtfully arranged to maximize privacy and intrigue. The large galley kitchen gives way to a laundry / mud room before opening to the rear yard. A standard staircase has been added in the middle of the house to take advantage of the Butler’s large attic space.

The Butler offers a thoughtful balance of privacy and shared space, with two bathrooms and a slightly expanded footprint.

This plan is ideal for families or multigenerational households seeking flexibility without sacrificing the charm of a Jane’s Cottage. The layout improves bathroom access while maintaining a cozy, efficient living environment.

The Alta

The Alta is the most rustic of the Janes cottages. Faithfully employing a clipped “jerkinhead” gable on each of its many roof peaks, this modest three bedroom / one bathroom home weighs in at a compact 1,195 sq. ft. A stair up to the attic storage and mechanical spaces has been added
for convenience and to take advantage of the steep tudor revival roofs. What this home lacks in footprint, it makes up for in charm. Double french doors open to a nestled porch off the dining room, while the living room’s elegant plasterwork fi replace, flanked by sconces and pushout casement
windows, sweeps seamlessly from the hearth to the coved ceiling. The original narrow galley kitchen has been widened and an arched opening added over a breakfast bar to tie into the dining room. An additional banquet nook and table are tucked into the corner of the kitchen.

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Janes Cottages

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