1485 E Mendocino Street Altadena , CA 91001

Designed and built by Wallace Neff, AIA for his wife Louise, the Neff Honeymoon Cottage is a treasure in Altadena. Beautifully sited on a large lot, this piece of Altadena history has been exquisitely maintained and preserved, and remarkably survived the Eaton Fire in 2025. Tucked behind mature hedges with a lush green lawn and framed by eucalyptus trees, the house is immediately recognizable as Neff's signature Spanish Colonial Revival style. A meandering path leads to the alcove front porch, an intimate greeting and a glimpse into the romance that lies beyond the front door. The front door opens to the stately living room with a beamed ceiling, warm red clay tile floors that prove there is beauty in age, an open staircase, and a decorative fireplace. Almost everywhere you look there are architectural details of interest, including arched doorways and windows, wrought iron sconces, and clever things like original interior wood shutters--you feel enveloped in history and immediately know the care that went into designing this house. To the left is the formal dining room with a sunny window out to the front yard; the authenticity of the hand troweled plaster walls that are featured in this room and throughout the home, are pronounced. The adjacent kitchen was sensitively remodeled and exudes charm with a marble top center island, decorative tiles, and hand-painted accents. A garden room off the kitchen, previously a covered porch in the original design, extends the living space and has a wall of French doors and windows that all look out to the picturesque enclosed courtyard