Ablitt grew up in the Santa Barbara area and founded Ablitt’s Fine Cleaners & Launderers in 1984. He then bought the tiny, commercially zoned lot adjacent to his business. He later learned that due to the lot’s size there was little he could do with the property. But in 2002, he discovered Jeff Shelton, who was working on a nearby house for the Zannons, owners of Santa Barbara Pistachio Company. He convinced Shelton to tackle the project. The architect was up for the challenge, having successfully completed other downtown projects using his award-winning, whimsical designs.
The garage became the first floor, the bedroom located on the next floor and one flight up, the kitchen. Up above, the living room has just enough space for a couch and a few chairs. The three floors of living space total 699 square feet. Since 1993, the Ablitts had lived on a 37-foot sailboat, so they have adapted easily to their new small, tall home.
Shelton and local contractor Dan Upton often use local artists to provide decorative touches, such as the ironwork crafted by Shelton’s brother David Shelton. The Ablitts are now working with nearby Holiday Inn Express/Hotel Virginia to add a fountain between the properties. They plan to create an inviting paseo by adding landscaping, which will help to clean up the area and make it more inviting.
JEFF SHELTON ARCHITECT
805.965.8812
Check out Jeff Shelton’s web site featuring local artisans.
View the Cota Street Studios designed by Jeff Shelton at: cotastreetstudios.com/index.htm
