>> "VISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER" IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM... [CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION] >> WELL, HELLO, EVERYBODY.

I'M HUELL HOWSER.

GET READY FOR AN ADVENTURE THAT HAS A BIG SURPRISE IN IT.

NOW, LET ME SET THIS UP FOR YOU.

RIGHT NOW, WE'RE IN SANTA BARBARA.

BEAUTIFUL SANTA BARBARA WITH THE MOUNTAINS OFF IN THE DISTANCE.

WE'RE ON HALEY STREET.

THAT'S STATE STREET RIGHT HERE, THE MAIN STREET IN TOWN THAT--EVERYBODY KNOWS ABOUT STATE STREET, AND I LOVE TO COME TO SANTA BARBARA.

THE LAST TIME I WAS UP HERE, I HAD SEEN SOMETHING OR HEARD SOMETHING SOMEBODY HAD TOLD ME ABOUT THIS NEW STRUCTURE THAT HAD BEEN BUILT HERE IN DOWNTOWN SANTA BARBARA THAT I JUST HAD TO SEE.

SO, I WENT IN SEARCH OF IT AND ENDED UP DRIVING AROUND IN CIRCLES FOR ALMOST AN HOUR GETTING LOST AND NOT KNOWING WHERE I WAS UNTIL FINALLY, I STUMBLED UPON IT.

AND HERE IT IS RIGHT DOWN THIS ALLEY.

AND WHAT HAD THROWN ME OFF WAS THIS ALLEY REALLY DOESN'T HAVE A NAME TO IT.

IT'S NOT A STREET.

IT'S JUST AN ALLEY.

THIS IS THE BACK OF--THIS IS THE BACK OF STORES RIGHT OVER HERE WITH THE SERVICE ENTRANCES IN THE BACK.

YOU WALK DOWN THIS ALLEY--NOW THE FIRST HINT, YOU KNOW, THAT SOMETHING SPECIAL IS GOING ON BACK HERE IS THIS BEAUTIFUL FENCE WITH THESE TREES AND THIS LANDSCAPING, THE BRICKWORK.

SO YOU KNOW SOMETHING GOOD'S GOING ON BACK HERE.

WE'RE GONNA RECREATE HISTORY RIGHT HERE.

I TURNED THIS CORNER... AND LOOK, HE'S DOING THE SAME THING TODAY HE WAS DOING A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO.

COME ON OVER, NEIL.

HA!

>> I KNOW YOU.

>> INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO EVERYBODY.

>> I'M NEIL ABLITT AND I MET YOU A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO.

>> WELL, YOU DID.

I CAME WANDERING DOWN THE ALLEY AND YOU WERE OUT HERE SWEEPING JUST LIKE YOU'RE DOING TODAY.

>> AND I INVITED YOU IN.

YOU GONNA COME IN TODAY?

>> YES, I AM.

I'M BACK WITH THE CAMERAS THIS TIME.

NOW, LET'S SET THIS UP.

YOUR PLACE OF BUSINESS, AND THE NAME OF YOUR FAMILY'S STORE IS WHAT?

>> ABLITT'S FINE CLEANERS.

>> OK, SO, YOUR CLEANERS, YOUR DRY CLEANERS, HAS BEEN A PART OF THE LANDSCAPE IN SANTA BARBARA FOR A LONG TIME.

>> OH, YEAH, A LONG TIME.

A LONG TIME.

THAT'S THE ROOF OVER THERE.

IT'S, UH-- >> SO, IT'S JUST 1/2 BLOCK AWAY.

>> OH, YEAH.

BUT THERE'S A LOT BETWEEN IT.

SO, I HAVE TO GO AROUND THE BLOCK TO GET THERE.

>> TO GET TO YOUR HOUSE.

>> TO GET TO THE CLEANERS.

AND FROM THE CLEANERS, I COME AROUND THE BLOCK TO GET TO THE HOUSE.

>> FOLKS, LOOK AT THIS HOUSE.

THIS IS WHAT WE'RE HERE TO SEE.

IT'S KIND OF SILHOUETTED IN THE SUN, BUT IT IS A ONE OF A KIND HOUSE, ISN'T IT?

>> IT'S A 20 x 20 FOOT LOT.

I HAVE A 6-INCH SET BACK ALL THE WAY AROUND.

SO IT'S REALLY 19 x 19.

53 FEET TALL, PLUS THE BALL, AND IT GOES 45 FEET INTO THE GROUND [INDISTINCT].

SO, IT'S 800,000 POUNDS OF CONCRETE, 4 1/4 MILES OF REBAR.

>> NOW, HOW DID YOU DECIDE TO BUILD THIS THING?

NOT MANY PEOPLE BUILD A HOUSE LIKE THIS.

>> WE'RE EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY LUCKY, EXTREMELY FORTUNATE.

WE'RE BLESSED.

WE HAPPENED TO MEET A TALENTED ARCHITECT, JEFF SHELTON, AND HE-- >> HE'S LOCAL, ISN'T HE?

>> YEAH.

UH, DAN UPTON.

UPTON AND SHELTON ARE A TEAM THAT HAVE BUILT SOME SPECTACULAR PLACES, BUT WHEN THEY LEARNED I HAD A 20 x 20 FOOT LOT, I MEAN, JEFF WAS SO BUSY, HE WASN'T TAKING ANY--ANY JOBS.

BUT WHEN HE HEARD A 20 x 20, HE SAID, "WE'RE GONNA BUILD."

>> IT WAS A CHALLENGE.

>> IT WAS A CHALLENGE.

>> NOW, HAD YOU THOUGHT ABOUT LIVING IN A LITTLE--I SAY "A LITTLE HOUSE LIKE THIS."

YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF SQUARE FOOTAGE, DON'T YOU?

>> WELL, FOR 14 YEARS, MY WIFE AND I LIVED ON A SAILBOAT, SO THIS IS A BIG HOUSE FOR US.

>> WAIT A MINUTE.

YOU LIVED ON A SAILBOAT HERE IN SANTA BARBARA?

>> WELL, 7 YEARS IN SANTA BARBARA, 7 YEARS IN MEXICO.

AND WHEN WE CAME BACK, WE SAW ONE OF THE HOUSES THEY HAD BUILT.

IT WAS JUST INCREDIBLE AND I MET HIM AND WE HIT IT OFF, AND WHEN HE SAW THE PRO--THE PIECE OF PROPERTY, HE SAID, "WE GOTTA BUILD."

NOW, I HAD BOUGHT IT IN 1984.

>> THE LAND.

>> THE LAND.

BECAUSE I NEEDED TO GET A HALEY STREET ADDRESS, 'CAUSE MY ADDRESS WAS GUTIERREZ, AND I WANTED TO GET ON THE PARKING DISTRICT PERMISSION, BUT YOU NEEDED A HALEY STREET ADDRESS BECAUSE THEY WERE PUTTING IN PARKING LOTS, AND I HAD HEARD A RUMOR THEY MIGHT BE AFTER THE FAMILY PROPERTY.

WELL, I NEVER GOT ON THE, UH, PARKING DISTRICT, BUT I DID GET THIS PIECE OF LAND.

>> YOU GOT A HOUSE.

[BOTH LAUGHING] WELL, NOW, LOOK.

LET'S START THE TOUR OVER HERE.

WHAT IS THIS LITTLE AREA RIGHT HERE?

THIS IS KIND OF A LITTLE, UH, LITTLE GARDEN AREA RIGHT HERE?

WHAT'S THE DEAL?

>> WELL, ACTUALLY, UH, IT'S THE HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS PROPERTY RIGHT HERE.

>> REALLY?

>> YEAH.

THEY DIDN'T KNOW IT UNTIL WE DID THE SURVEY.

>> WOW.

AND SO THAT'S THE HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS PALM TREE.

>> OH, YEAH.

>> WHICH GOES PERFECTLY--LOOK AT THIS--UP AGAINST THE HOUSE.

IT'S JUST SPECTACULAR THE WAY THE PALM TREE GOES UP, AND THIS IS CALLED THE-- >> ABLITT HOUSE.

>> ABLITT HOUSE, ESTABLISHED 2006.

SO, WHAT WAS THE CONCEPT OF-- >> I NEEDED A PARKING SPACE.

SO, I'VE MADE A DEAL WITH THE HOTEL.

I WOULD BUILD THE WALL, PUT THE FOUNTAIN IN, DO ALL THE FLAGSTONE IF I COULD USE IT.

I'LL NEVER CLAIM IT, BUT USE IT.

AND, UH, BEING THE GREAT HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS PEOPLE THEY ARE, WE SHOOK HANDS AND THEY GOT A BEAUTIFUL WALL, A BEAUTIFUL FOUNTAIN, AND, UH, THIS PROPERTY ACTUALLY RIGHT HERE IS THEIRS, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE OURS.

>> OH, BACK IN THE BACK BACK IN HERE.

BUT LOOK AT THIS HOUSE.

LOOK AT THIS TILE WORK.

NOW, WHAT WAS THE PHILOSOPHY OF--OF ARCHITECTURE FOR THIS THING?

LOOK AT THIS.

THIS IS JUST SPECTACULAR.

I'M NOT SURE I'D EVER REALLY LOOKED AT IT QUITE, UH, YOU KNOW, I HADN'T REALLY ANALYZED IT.

I WAS JUST SO GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> WELL, IT'S CALLED SHELDONESQUE OR SHELDONESQUE.

IT'S HIS--IT'S HIS DESIGN.

HE LIKES MOROCCAN.

HE LIKES MEXICAN.

HE LIKES GAUDI, AND HE JUST KIND OF MIXES IT ALL IN AND IT'S--IT'S--MY JOB, AND THIS IS THE TRUTH, WAS TO SWEEP THE ALLEY, KEEP MY MOUTH SHUT AND STAY OUT OF THE WAY.

>> SO, HE LITERALLY-- >> HE HAD CARTE BLANCHE.

>> BUT HE COULD HAVE COME UP WITH ANYTHING.

>> HE DID.

HE ASKED MY WIFE WHAT SHE LIKES.

SHE SAID, "I LIKE TILE, I LIKE BOOKS AND I LIKE WINE."

AND THAT'S ALL THE INPUT WE HAD OTHER THAN SHE CHOSE THE COLOR OF THE STOVE.

SO THESE GUYS COULD JUST HAVE CARTE BLANCHE.

THEY--IT'S PROBABLY THE ONLY TIME IN THEIR CAREER THAT THEY COULD DO ANYTHING THEY WANTED.

>> IS THIS A GARAGE?

WHAT IS THIS?

[NEIL STAMMERING] UH-OH.

>> YEAH, IT'S A GARAGE.

I'M LAUGHING BECAUSE WE WANTED TO LIVE DOWNTOWN AND WALK TO WORK AND--AND, UH, BUT THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT REQUIRES YOU TO HAVE A GARAGE, SO THE MESSAGE IS, THEY WANT YOU TO GET A CAR?

BUT, UH, ANYWAY, THE CITY COUNCIL-- >> SO, THIS IS A GARAGE WITH NO CAR.

>> WELL, NOT YET.

>> OH.

OH, WOW.

THIS IS THE FANCIEST GARAGE I'VE EVER SEEN.

LOOK AT THIS TILE ON THE FLOOR.

>> THE ARCHITECT AND THE CONTRACTOR DROVE DOWN TO MEXICO TO FIND THE FACTORY TO MAKE THIS.

THIS IS COMPRESSED CONCRETE TILE.

THEY FOUND THE FACTORY, OLD MISSION TILE, IN THE SAN LUIS [INDISTINCT].

THEY DID THE--THE ARCHITECT DESIGNED--EVERYTHING HERE THE ARCHITECT DESIGNED HIMSELF, AND EACH FLOOR IS THE SAME.

A DIFFERENT PATTERN.

YOU'LL SEE THAT.

>> WELL, WHAT DO YOU USE THIS FOR?

I SEE YOU'VE GOT A WASHER AND DRYER OVER HERE.

>> OH, YEAH.

WASHER, DRYER.

>> BUT YOU DON'T PARK--YOU'VE NEVER PARKED A CAR IN HERE, HAVE YOU?

>> WE HAVE A LITTLE 2-SEATER AND, IN THE SUMMERTIME, I'LL PARK IT IN HERE.

BUT GENERALLY, WE USE IT FOR STORAGE 'CAUSE THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT OF CLOSET SPACE OR--HA HA HA!

>> AND YOU KNOW YOU'RE DOWNTOWN, SO YOU PROBABLY JUST CAN WALK EVERYWHERE.

>> WE'RE 1/2 BLOCK OFF STATE STREET, WITHIN 11 MINUTES YOU'RE AT ONE END OF TOWN OR DOWN AT THE WHARF.

UH, YEAH, YOU COULDN'T BE MORE CENTRALLY LOCATED.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

EVERY TUESDAY, WE'VE GOT OUR FARMER'S MARKET.

ANYWAY, LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION.

THIS IS ALL POURED CONCRETE.

THERE'S NO STRUCTURAL WOOD WHATSOEVER.

>> OH, BOY.

>> THERE'S 8--8 INCHES OF POURED CONCRETE, A 6-INCH METAL STUD, A 5/8 INCH GYPSUM BOARD, 2 LAYERS OF PLASTER AND 40 GALLONS OF PAINT.

>> WOW.

>> THESE ARE NOT WINDOWS, AND DON'T CALL THEM A WINDOW BECAUSE WE CAN'T HAVE 'EM.

THIS SIDE, THIS SIDE AND THAT SIDE, IT'S A TRANSLUCENT WALL.

>> THIS ISN'T A WINDOW.

THIS IS A WALL.

>> IT MEETS THE FIRE CODE.

THERE'S 1 5/8 INCHES THICK.

IT'S THE 1-3 HOUR--THAT'S 'CAUSE WE'RE BUILDING UP TO THE LOT LINE.

ACTUALLY, THE, UH, ENGINEER PUT US BACK 6 INCHES.

SO, WE'RE 6 INCHES FROM-- >> OH, YEAH.

EVERYTHING YOU SEE OUT HERE BELONGS TO THE HOLIDAY INN.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

THIS IS, UH, 600 POUNDS, BY THE WAY, AND THAT ONE'S 500 POUNDS.

>> OH, LOOK OVER HERE.

NOW, WHAT IS THIS?

THIS IS ALL YOUR ELECTRICAL AND WATER AND EVERYTHING.

>> THIS IS OUR [INDISTINCT] AND HEAT.

THIS LITTLE BOILER HEATS ALL 4 FLOORS.

WE'VE GOT HOT WATER POURING THROUGH.

IT'S SET FOR 62 IN THE MORNING, 70 AT NIGHT.

MY GAS BILL RUNS ABOUT 25 BUCKS A MONTH.

>> WOW.

SO THIS IS A GREEN HOUSE.

>> YEAH, IN A WAY.

WELL, PEOPLE MISUSE GREEN.

I MEAN, WE--WE TRY TO--YEAH, YEAH.

>> WELL, YOU DID IT RIGHT.

>> YEAH, YEAH.

THERE'S NO AIR CONDITIONING AND IT'S CONCRETE, SO IT KEEPS IT NICE AND COOL.

>> AND LOOK, HERE'S YOUR OTHER WINDOW.

EXCUSE ME, IT'S NOT A WINDOW.

>> NO, NO.

TRANSLUCENT WALL.

>> IT'S A TRANSLUCENT WALL, AND THAT'S LOOKING OUT AT THE BACK OF THE BUILDINGS.

THAT'S LOOKING TOWARDS YOUR FAMILY BUSINESS WHICH IS 1/2 BLOCK AWAY.

>> RIGHT.

>> WOW, THIS IS-- >> AND, BECAUSE WE'RE IN A COMMERCIAL ZONE, WE HAD TO HAVE A SPRINKLER SYSTEM.

NOW, IT'S A CONCRETE HOUSE, BUT WE HAVE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS THROUGHOUT.

WE DIDN'T COMPLAIN.

UH, WE WERE GETTING-- >> HAD TO MEET CODE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> AND YOU KNOW WHAT?

I BET WHEN THE CODE WAS--WAS DRAWN UP FOR SANTA BARBARA, THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY--A HOUSE LIKE THIS TO DRAW UP A CODE FOR.

>> NO.

>> I MEAN, THIS DOESN'T FIT THE NORMAL FOOTPRINT OF WHAT A HOUSE IS AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE IN IT.

>> AS THE ARCHITECT SAYS, WE WERE PRESSING THE BOUNDARIES A LITTLE BIT.

STRETCHING THE BOUNDARIES.

BUT, I MEAN, IT'S--IT'S INFILL AND AS JEFF SHELTON SAID, IT'S THE FILL BEFORE THE INFILL.

UH, 20 x 20, BEAUTIFUL HOUSE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BLOCK.

MOST PEOPLE CAN'T FIND IT.

>> WELL, I--I HARDLY COULD GET HERE.

BUT LOOK AT THIS.

THIS IS SO BEAUTIFUL RIGHT HERE.

LET'S JUST TAKE ONE MORE LOOK AT YOUR LITTLE PATIO.

THIS IS WHERE YOU WOULD NORMALLY PARK.

LOOK DOWN HERE, CAMERON.

THIS IS WHERE WE CAME FROM, JUST DOWN THE ALLEY.

NOW, I'M NOT THE FIRST PERSON TO COME LOOKING FOR THIS HOUSE.

LET'S BREAK THAT MYTH UP.

HOW MANY TOURS, HOW MANY PEOPLE COME WANDERING DOWN HERE A YEAR LOOKING FOR THIS PLACE?

>> WELL, DAILY, THERE'LL BE PEOPLE HERE.

ONE OF THE LOCAL ARCHITECTS--HE WAS BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL, HE MADE THE COMMENT THAT THE ABLITT HOUSE HAD BECOME THE THIRD MOST POPULAR LANDMARK IN THE CITY AFTER THE MISSION, THE COURTHOUSE AND THE ABLITT HOUSE.

TONGUE IN CHEEK, BUT WE GET A LOT OF-- >> IT'S JUST HARD TO FIND THIS PLACE.

>> PEOPLE COME DOWN, TAKE PICTURES.

THAT'S KIND OF, SOMETIMES, YOU LEAN OVER TO LOOK OUT AND THEY'RE LOOKING RIGHT UP, SO, IT'S JUST KIND OF--AT ANY RATE, WE FELT WE WERE SO FORTUNATE, SO BLESSED, WE SAID, "HOW DO WE GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY?"

'CAUSE WE HAD SO MUCH COMMUNITY SUPPORT.

YOU KNOW, SIGNING PETITIONS AND MAKING TALKS ON OUR BEHALF TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT.

THE IMPOSSIBLE PROJECT.

>> IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME, AND WE DON'T WANT TO GO INTO A LOT OF IT-- >> IMPOSSIBLE-- >> A LOT OF ZONING, AND-- >> IMPOSSIBLE TO BUILD IT THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED.

POURED CONCRETE WITH ALL THAT CURVATURE?

AND IMPOSSIBLE TO GET, UH, FUNDING FROM A LENDING INSTITUTION.

>> BUT YOU GOT IT.

IT ALL WORKED.

>> ON THE COATTAILS OF JEFF SHELTON AND DAN UPTON.

IT'S--ANYWAY, MY WIFE SAID, "LET'S GIVE BACK BY GIVING TOURS."

I THINK SHE MIGHT BE SORRY SHE SAID IT NOW BECAUSE WE'VE HAD OVER 1,500 PEOPLE COME THROUGH.

>> REALLY?

>> YEAH, YEAH.

SOME FASCINATING PEOPLE, THOUGH.

IT'S REALLY FUN.

GENERALLY, IT'S ABOUT 20, 25 PEOPLE.

WE'VE HAD AS MANY AS 65 AT ONE TIME, WHICH WAS-- >> AT ONE TIME?

>> YEAH, WE HAD A WEDDING HERE.

SOME MOVIE PEOPLE HAD A WEDDING.

THERE WERE 85 PEOPLE IN HERE.

WE HAD 60 OF 'EM UP ON TOP.

IT WAS BEAUTIFUL.

>> WELL, THIS IS EXCITING.

WE'RE GETTING READY TO BECOME THE NEXT PERSON TO TAKE THE TOUR BECAUSE THIS IS SO--LOOK AT THIS DOOR.

NOW, THIS IS JUST GREAT.

YOU GOT THE FLOWERS SET UP HERE AND THERE'S THE DOOR THAT WE'RE GONNA GO IN.

>> AND IF YOU LOOK UP ABOVE THE DOOR AS YOU GO IN, YOU'LL SEE THE NAME OF EVERYBODY THAT WORKED ON THE PROJECT, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE SIGNATURES OF JEFF SHELTON'S PROJECTS.

HIS DAUGHTERS, THE ARCHITECT'S AND CONTRACTOR'S DAUGHTERS ALL MADE A PATTERN, AND SO, JEFF MEMORIALIZED IT IN TILE.

SO THAT MADE THEM PART OF THE BUILD.

SO THEIR NAME IS UP THERE ALONG WITH EVERYBODY ELSE'S.

>> NOW, TO ME, THIS LOOKS LIKE JUST A BANISTER, A FANCY BANISTER, BUT A BANISTER FOR A STAIRCASE.

>> IT'S, UH, IT'S A VERY--IT'S A WORK OF ART.

IT'S A DAVID MOSELY WORK OF ART.

IT'S BLACK WALNUT.

IT'S 108 FEET LONG CONTINUOUS, UH, ALL THE WAY UP TO THE ROOFTOP.

NOT ONE PIECE, MANY PIECES JOINED TOGETHER, BUT, UH, DONE SUPERBLY.

>> SO, EVERYTHING IN THIS HOUSE, REALLY, IS KIND OF ARTISTIC.

>> IT IS A WORK OF ART.

>> IT'S VERY ART--LOOK AT THIS TILE RIGHT THERE.

WHAT'S THE DEAL ON THE TILE?

>> THIS IS, UH, DAVID SHELTON'S INSPIRATION FOR THIS WAS LEAVES AND THE FLOORS WERE FLOWERS.

THE, UH, STEPS ARE ALL TILE, ITALIAN--ITALIAN MARBLE.

>> I LOVE THE COLORS.

>> MY HIGH SCHOOL FRIEND, UH, MARY MAINE, WHO'S A QUILTER, SHE MADE MANY QUILTS.

YOU'LL SEE MORE QUILTS UP HERE WITH THE SAME PATTERN.

>> SO YOU'VE GOT--I MEAN, EVERYTHING HERE, THERE'S A PURPOSE, THERE'S A REASON WHY IT'S HERE.

>> WELL, PEOPLE LOVE THE HOUSE.

THEY LOVE TO WORK ON IT.

THE ARTISTS LOVE TO WORK ON IT.

THEY GAVE IT THEIR ALL.

WE'RE VERY, VERY FORTUNATE.

>> LET'S GO UPSTAIRS.

HERE WE GO.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6-- I'M COUNTING 'EM 'CAUSE THERE'S 72 STEPS.

>> REMEMBER I SAID WE LIVED ON A SAILBOAT?

WELL, ACTUALLY, THEY DIDN'T WANT US TO GET TOO HOMESICK.

THEY PUT A LITTLE, UH, PORTHOLE HERE.

>> A LITTLE PORTHOLE!

>> YEAH.

>> SECOND FLOOR.

>> OH, YEAH, COME ON UP.

THIS IS THE BEDROOM.

THE BEDROOM-- >> THE FIRST BEDROOM, 'CAUSE HOW MANY BEDROOMS YOU GOT IN THIS HOUSE?

>> WE HAVE 1 BEDROOM, MAYBE 2.

>> WAIT A MINUTE.

SO, THIS IS WHERE YOU AND YOUR WIFE SLEEP.

>> OH, YEAH, YEAH.

THIS IS THE--THIS IS THE MASTER BEDROOM.

ORIGINALLY, THERE WEREN'T DOORS, BUT JEFF SHELTON HAS A COMPLETE-- >> LET'S WALK IN A LITTLE BIT.

NOW SEE, THIS IS VERY SMALL REALLY, ISN'T IT?

>> IT'S THE ONLY SMALL ROOM IN THE HOUSE BECAUSE ORIGINALLY, WE DIDN'T HAVE THESE DOORS.

BUT JEFF SHELTON HAD COMPLETE DESIGN CONTROL?

>> UH-HUH.

>> HE GETS SINUS HEADACHES, SO HE SAID, "I DON'T WANT TO BE AT A PARTY, GET A HEADACHE AND NOT BE ABLE TO SHUT MYSELF OFF."

>> WELL, YEAH, YOU WANT DOORS ON YOUR BEDROOM.

>> OH, ORIGINALLY WE DIDN'T.

>> LOOK AT THESE BEAUTIFUL DOORS.

LOOK AT-- >> AND THAT WAS THE CHALLENGE.

WITH THOSE DOORS, HOW WERE WE GOING TO GET THE QUEEN SIZE BED IN?

WE MOVED-- >> LOOK AT THE BEAUTY OF 'EM.

WHAT IS THIS MADE OUT OF?

>> THAT'S, UH, BLACK WALNUT AND WHITE OAK.

>> WOW.

AND YOU HAD PROBLEMS GETTING THEM-- >> YEAH, THE BED--WE MOVED IN IN DECEMBER, WE DIDN'T GET THE BED UNTIL MAY.

IT'S MODULAR DESIGN.

IF YOU LOOK, THE, UH, WOODWORK MATCHES THE, UH, THE PATTERN ON THE FLOOR.

>> SO, JUST TO GET THE BED IN WAS A BIG DEAL.

>> IT CAME IN MODULAR PIECES.

YEAH, IT TOOK 5 MONTHS TO--TO-- >> WELL, BUT LOOK.

YOU'D BEEN LIVING ON A BOAT ALL THESE YEARS.

>> THIS IS HUGE.

>> THIS IS HUGE!

>> THIS IS HUGE, YEAH.

>> AND YOU GOT A BATHROOM HERE.

>> BEAUTIFUL BATHROOM.

WALK IN--CALL 'EM REACH IN CLOSETS, BUT THEY'RE-- >> AND THIS BEAUTIFUL TILE.

AND LOOK AT THIS.

MORE OF THIS BEAUTIFUL WOOD ON THE DOORS.

BOY, THAT REALLY MAKES-- >> GORGEOUS.

>> EVERYTHING HERE MAKES A STATEMENT.

>> WELL, REMEMBER, SHE WANTED BOOKS, TILE AND WINE, AND HERE'S THE START OF HER BOOKS.

YOU'VE ALREADY SEEN SOME OF THE TILE.

>> YOU GOT BOOKS OVER HERE.

BOY, YOU--YOU SURE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EVERY SQUARE INCH IN HERE, DON'T YOU?

>> THAT'S TRUE, THAT'S TRUE.

THE ARCHITECT'S AN ABSOLUTE GENIUS.

>> LOOK AT THIS STAIRCASE HERE.

>> OH, YEAH.

>> THIS IS BEAUTIFUL.

>> CAN YOU IMAGINE THE WOODWORKER COORDINATING THE EFFORT WITH THE IRONWORKER?

THE IRONWORKER, DAVID SHELTON, IS THE ARCHITECT'S BROTHER, THEY COULDN'T BE 1/8 OF AN INCH OUT.

>> AND LOOK AT THE WINDOWS, THE WAY THEY CUT INTO THE SIDE HERE.

WOW!

>> JEFF WOULD HAND DRAW THOSE WINDOWS.

I'LL SHOW YOU SOME MORE HAND -- >> 'CAUSE THEY'RE NOT SYMMETRICAL, ARE THEY?

I MEAN, THEY'RE A LITTLE OFF.

>> THE CONTRACTOR DAN UPTON SAYS JEFF'S GIFT IS HE'S ABLE TO BALANCE ASYMMETRICAL DESIGN.

>> UH-HUH.

ALL RIGHT, HERE WE GO.

>> GARGOYLES FROM ANDY JOHNSON.

>> A GARGOYLE IS UP HERE.

>> ALL THE KNOBS, THE KNOBS IN THE DOOR ARE ALL STONE.

ANDY JOHNSON.

AND, UH, MORE UP HERE.

>> BOY, LOOK AT THIS.

ALL RIGHT, I'M COUNTING STEPS.

>> OK. >> HOW MANY IS THIS NOW?

20, 25?

>> OH, WE'RE AT ABOUT 28 BY THE TIME-- >> 28 BY THE TIME WE'RE UP ON THE THIRD FLOOR.

HERE WE ARE.

GETTING READY TO CONTINUE OUR HOME TOUR ON THE THIRD FLOOR.

WE'RE IN THE BEAUTIFUL KITCHEN ON THE THIRD FLOOR AND WE'RE SHIFTING GEARS A LITTLE BIT TO THE LADY OF THE HOUSE HERE.

YOUR NAME IS?

>> SUE.

>> NICE TO MEET YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND HAS ALREADY TOLD US THAT YOU'RE BEGINNING TO GET USED TO PEOPLE TROMPING THROUGH YOUR HOUSE AT ALL HOURS OF THE DAY AND NIGHT.

>> I AM.

>> DID YOU KNOW THIS WAS GONNA TURN INTO A--A TOUR GROUP THAT HE'S GIVING EVERY 5 MINUTES OF EVERY DAY?

>> NO, I HAD NO IDEA.

>> WHAT DO PEOPLE SAY WHEN THEY COME INTO YOUR HOUSE?

>> THEY LOVE IT.

>> DO THEY FEEL LIKE THEY'RE INTRUDING IN YOUR PRIVATE SPACE OR DO THEY?

>> NOT SO MUCH.

THEY FEEL AT HOME.

IT-- >> AND WHAT DO YOU WANT 'EM TO FEEL LIKE?

AT HOME?

>> WELL, THEY NEED TO ENJOY IT, YOU BET.

>> BECAUSE THE LAST TIME I WAS HERE, THE FIRST TIME I WAS HERE, I WOULDN'T LET HIM BRING ME IN THE HOUSE BECAUSE I SAID, "YOUR WIFE ISN'T EXPECTING ANYBODY AND THERE'S NOTHING WORSE THAN GOING INTO SOMEBODY'S HOUSE UNANNOUNCED ."

>> WELL, I'D LEAVE.

[BOTH LAUGHING] >> THERE'S--HE'S THE TOUR GUIDE.

YOU GET OUT OF HERE.

>> YES.

>> TELL US ABOUT THIS KITCHEN.

THIS IS A HUGE ROOM.

THIS IS A BIG KITCHEN.

>> IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

I LOVE IT.

THE ONLY THING I DIDN'T WANT WAS STAINLESS STEEL, SO I SAID, "WE NEED A BLUE STOVE."

>> MM-HMM.

>> AND THE ARCHITECT TOOK IT FROM THERE.

>> AND EVERYTHING ELSE WAS A TOTAL SURPRISE WHEN YOU WALKED IN HERE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> WERE YOU HAPPY WITH THE PLAN?

>> I LOVE IT!

YES.

>> ARE YOU A COOK?

BECAUSE, OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A KITCHEN MADE FOR A GOOD COOK.

>> NO, WE INVITE COOKS.

[BOTH LAUGHING] DO YOU COOK?

>> NO, YOU INVITED THE WRONG PERSON.

BUT IT'S BEAUTIFUL AND I--LOOK AT THIS.

THE LITTLE WINDOWS HERE AND LOOKING OUT HERE AT THE MOUNTAINS AND THE TREES.

IT'S JUST ONE OF THESE--I MEAN, THIS IS A VERY SPECIAL PLACE.

>> IT IS.

YOU'LL HAVE TO COME STAY.

>> WELL, WHERE WOULD I STAY?

>> WE MOVE DOWN TO THE BOAT WHEN PEOPLE COME INTO TOWN.

LIKE OUR FRIENDS ARE HERE NOW?

UH, THEY'LL STAY IN THE HOUSE AND WE'LL GO DOWN TO THE BOAT.

>> SO, YOU REALLY--YOUR HEART IS STILL, IN MANY WAYS, ON THAT BOAT.

>> OH, OF COURSE, YES.

>> THAT'S ANOTHER WHOLE STORY, PEOPLE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW YOU COULD PUT UP LIVING ON A BOAT ALL THOSE YEARS.

>> WELL, IT WORKS.

>> YEAH.

>> SO, WE'RE GETTING SPOILED IN HERE NOW.

THE SINK ON THE BOAT IS THIS SIZE RIGHT HERE, AND WE HAD 2 PROPANE BURNERS.

>> AND YOU PUMP IT.

>> AND NOW, I HAVE THIS HUGE SINK WITH A-- >> DON'T OPEN THAT.

>> OK. >> SEE?

THERE YOU GO.

SEE?

SEE?

THAT'S WHY I DIDN'T COME UP HERE THE LAST TIME.

>> IS THIS SAFE?

>> THAT'S SAFE.

>> OK, THIS IS OUR WINE-- >> OH, THERE'S THE WINE OVER THERE, AND LOOK, I NOTICED THIS WHEN I WALKED IN THE DOOR.

>> EACH ONE OF THOSE HAS ITS OWN TILE.

>> HERE'S MORE WINE IN HERE.

>> HOW ABOUT--HOW ABOUT 2 FREEZERS?

ON A BOAT FOR 14 YEARS, WE NEVER HAD A FREEZER.

NOW WE HAVE 2.

>> OH, MY GOSH.

>> WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO PUT IN 'EM.

>> SO, YOU'RE IN HEAVEN HERE IN THIS PLACE.

NOW IS--THERE'S--HOW MANY FLOORS DOES THIS PLACE HAVE?

>> IT'S A 3-STORY HOUSE ON TOP OF A ONE-STORY GARAGE WITH A ROOFTOP PATIO.

>> OK, SO, WE'VE BEEN TO THE GARAGE, THE FIRST BEDROOM.

WELL, THE ONLY BEDROOM.

THE KITCHEN.

AND--AND THEN THERE'S 2 MORE FLOORS AHEAD?

>> AND ANOTHER KITCHEN.

>> A WHAT?

>> ANOTHER KITCHEN.

>> YOU'RE KIDDING.

ANOTHER KITCHEN FOR A LADY WHO DOESN'T LIKE TO COOK.

HERE WE GO.

WE'RE GOING UP TO THE--WHAT IS THIS?

THE THIRD?

>> NO, THIS IS THE FOURTH FLOOR.

THIS IS THE LIVING ROOM, WHICH IS THE ARCHITECT'S FAVORITE ROOM AND IT'S SUE'S FAVORITE ROOM.

ACTUALLY, A LOT OF PEOPLE LOVE IT.

IF YOU MEDITATE, THIS IS THE PLACE TO BE.

>> STILL COUNTING THE STEPS.

>> OH, WE'RE GETTING CLOSE.

>> LOOK AT THIS.

THIS-- >> THESE ARE THE KEYHOLE WINDOWS THAT ARE COMING TO BE ONE OF THE SIGNATURE ASPECTS OF THE HOUSE, ALONG WITH THE 108-FOOT HANDRAIL.

>> THE KEYHOLE WINDOWS.

>> BUILT BY ROYCE, 4 BLOCKS FROM HERE.

IT TOOK, UH, DAVID MOSELY, WHO DID THE HANDRAIL, AND 2 HELPERS 2 WEEKS TO INSTALL THESE WINDOWS.

>> OH, LOOK!

I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER--HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A KEYHOLE WINDOW BEFORE?

>> NO, I HAVEN'T.

UH-UH.

NEVER.

>> YOU MIGHT HAVE SOME IN MOROCCO .

>> OH, WOW.

NOW, SEE?

AND LOOKING OUT, NOW, SEE?

I--I WANT TO LOOK UP AT THE MOUNTAINS, BUT I'M SEEING THESE BUILDINGS, WHICH IS KIND OF URBAN AND, I GUESS, PART OF IT, BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO SEE THE BUILDINGS, DO YOU?

>> THIS WAS, UH THE ARCHITECT'S--WOULD TALK--THE ARCHITECT WOULD TALK ABOUT THE, UH, OPAQUE WINDOWS TO CHANGE THE VIEWSCAPE.

IF YOU SIT DOWN IN THE CHAIR, YOU GO FROM CITY LIVING TO COUNTRY LIVING.

>> SO, FROM THE CHAIR, YOU'RE LOOKING OUT AND YOU MISS ALL OF THESE BUILDINGS DOWN HERE AND YOU'RE JUST SEEING THE SKY.

>> SAME THING IN THE KITCHEN.

>> BUT, IN A WAY, IT KIND OF CONNECTS YOU WITH THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA BY SEEING THE BUILDINGS.

HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU ALL SPEND UP HERE?

>> NOT A LOT.

IT-- >> WE GO DOWN TO THE KITCHEN MOST AND THEN THE ROOFTOP SECOND.

>> REALLY?

>> YEAH, I THINK SHE'S IN THE LIVING ROOM HERE.

SHE READS UP HERE.

>> UH-HUH.

>> BUT, UM, A LOT OF PEOPLE--WHEN I GAVE MY FIRST TOUR, YOU KNOW, I WAS DOING THEM EVERY HOUR?

WHEN I BROUGHT THE SECOND GROUP UP, THERE WERE STILL PEOPLE FROM THE FIRST GROUP SITTING UP HERE.

>> WELL, PEOPLE LIKE TO SIT UP HERE.

LET'S SIT DOWN FOR A MINUTE AND GET THE IDEA BECAUSE WHEN YOU'RE SEATED, BOY, YOU REALLY DO GET THE VIEW OF THE MOUNTAINS AND NOT OF THE CITY.

IT REALLY DOES GIVE YOU, THE WAY IT'S CONFIGURED, YOU'RE LOOKING OUT AT THE MOUNTAINS.

>> ABSOLUTELY AMAZING HOW HE COULD SEE IN ADVANCE EVERYTHING YOU WERE GOING TO LOOK AT, HOW HE PLACED THE WINDOWS, THE WINDOWS ON THE SIDE--OH, AND I THINK HE PROBABLY WOULD WANT ME TO POINT OUT THAT THAT TELEVISION IS A VERY TEMPORARY THING.

THEY'RE DOING JUST SOME TESTING.

THE ORIGINAL FOR THE--THE FINAL TV WILL BE UP ON THE CEILING THAT'LL COME DOWN.

>> 'CAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO INTERFERE WITH THE VIEW THROUGH THE KEYHOLE WINDOWS.

>> NO.

>> WELL, WE'RE AL-ALMOST TO THE END OF THE TOUR.

THERE'S MORE ABOVE.

>> THERE'S MORE ABOVE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE'RE GONNA-- >> ARE YOU GONNA BE ABLE TO DO-- >> I'M READY.

I'M GONNA MAKE ALL 70--WHAT IS IT?

72 OR 78?

>> 72.

>> 72 STEPS.

HERE WE GO.

WE'RE HEADING UP THE LAST SET OF STEPS RIGHT HERE.

OK, WE HAVE ARRIVED ON THE-- >> ROOFTOP.

>> ROOFTOP.

>> WELCOME TO THE ROOFTOP.

>> TOO BAD YOU GOT SUCH A LOUSY VIEW OUT HERE.

NOW, WHAT DO Y'ALL DO UP HERE?

TELL ME WHAT YOU TOLD ME WALKING UP THE STEPS WHEN I SAID-- >> WE DRINK BEER.

>> THEY DRINK BEER UP HERE.

OR WINE 'CAUSE YOU GOT LOTS OF WINE.

>> PROBABLY MORE WINE THAN BEER.

>> BUT THIS IS SPECTACULAR UP HERE.

>> IT IS, IT IS.

WE HAVE A BARBECUE HERE AND WE HAVE A WINDOW THROUGH A WINDOW, SO WE HAVE A VIEW HERE.

WE HAVE A WORKBENCH.

>> DO YOU EAT UP HERE?

YOU COOK UP HERE?

>> WE COOK UP HERE.

WE DON'T REALLY EAT.

AND OUR ITALIAN SINK AND A REFRIGERATOR, SO, IT IS 2 KITCHENS, ONE BATH--ER, BEDROOM-- >> WHAT IS THIS OVER HERE?

>> OUR BENCH.

>> HERE, I'M GONNA HAVE BOTH OF Y'ALL SIT UP THERE.

DO YOU ALL ACTUALLY COME UP HERE AND SIT?

>> WITH FRIENDS, WITH FRIENDS.

UH, WHEN WE'RE ALONE, WE JUST--WELL, YEAH, WE COME UP HERE.

>> DEPENDS ON THE WEATHER.

>> BUT WE DON'T SIT HERE.

WE SIT IN OUR CHAIRS DOWN THERE.

BUT WE BARBECUE UP HERE A LOT.

>> AND WHAT'S THE DEAL ON THE ROOF?

>> THE ARCHITECT CALLS THAT A CROSS BETWEEN ISLAMIC ZIGZAG AND CHARLIE BROWN'S T-SHIRT.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE "V," THE BOTTOM GREEN "V," THE UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER, YOU'VE GOT 1/4 OF AN INCH OF TILE ADJACENT TO 1/8 OF AN INCH OF WHITE.

GREEN AND WHITE.

IT'S THE KIND OF DETAIL THAT A CONTRACTOR, TILE CONTRACTOR THAT CAME THROUGH ON A TOUR SAID HE'D NEVER SEEN IN HIS CAREER.

THE TILE IN THE KITCHEN AND THE TILE UP HERE.

CONTRACTOR SAYS THERE'S OVER 10,000 TILES AND 100,000 TILE CUTS.

>> WOW.

>> IT'S AMAZING.

THE ARCHITECT WOULD--THIS WAS ALL POURED CONCRETE.

THEY HAD TO FORM THIS AND THEN FILL THE CONCRETE IN.

UH, THERE'S NO STRUCTURAL WOOD.

AND THE ARCHITECT WOULD COME OVER HERE WHEN THAT WAS ALL JUST GRAY CONCRETE WITH A 3 x 5 CARD AND A MAGIC MARKER AND HE'D FREEHAND DRAW THAT DESIGN.

YEAH, IT'S JUST AMAZING.

>> I'LL BET YOU HAVE ARTESIANS, ARTISTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD WHO ARE JUST AMAZED AT THE INTRICATE WORK THAT'S ALL OVER THIS HOUSE.

>> OH, YEAH, WE'VE HAD PEOPLE FROM MOSCOW, FROM GERMANY.

WE HAD A WHOLE GROUP FROM CHINA.

THEY ALL SIGNED THE GUESTBOOK, WHICH I HOPE YOU WILL SIGN IT, GUESTBOOK, IN THE CHINESE CHARACTERS.

AND THEN, TO TOP IT OFF, THE, UM, ARCHITECT'S NIECE, GABBY IN BROOKLYN, DOES CASTINGS.

[BELL RINGS] >> OHH!

BOY, I'LL BET THE NEIGHBORS LIKE THAT.

>> THEY CAN'T HEAR IT.

>> ACTUALLY, THEY DID IT SO CLEVER.

THEY HAVE IT HIGH ENOUGH THAT YOU CAN BARELY HEAR IT AT STREET LEVEL.

>> WOW.

>> YEAH, SO, IT WAS-- >> THEY DIDN'T MISS A TRICK.

>> HA HA!

NO.

>> THEY DIDN'T MISS A TRICK.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THIS HA--THIS HAS MORE THAN I EXPECTED.

I MEAN, IT IS A BEAUTIFUL HOME FROM THE OUTSIDE, BUT ON THE INSIDE, AND TO REALIZE THAT--THAT YOU ALL-- >> IT WAS A HOUSE BUILT--BUILT WITH LOVE.

EVERYONE LOVED WORKING ON IT AND THEY LOVED COMING HERE AND WE LOVE LIVING HERE.

>> I WAS GONNA SAY YOU LOVE LIVING HERE, BUT YOU LOVE SHARING IT WITH PEOPLE, DON'T YOU?

>> IT'S A WORK OF ART.

IT'S A WORK OF ART.

YOU--YOU'VE GOT TO SHARE IT WITH EVERYBODY.

IT'S OUR LEGACY.

>> I SAID HE LOVES SHARING IT.

YOU LEAVE.

WE'RE JUST GLAD YOU STAYED FOR THE TOUR.

NOW I KNOW WHY I DIDN'T MEET YOU THE FIRST TIME.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> YOU'D ALREADY LEFT.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

THIS HAS--THIS IS--THE HOUSE IS KNOWN--DOES IT HAVE A--A--HOW DO THE PEOPLE IN SANTA BARBARA REFER TO THIS HOUSE?

WHAT DO THEY-- >> ABLITT TOWER.

>> THEY JUST SAY "ABLITT TOWER"?

>> OR ABLITT HOUSE, ABLITT HOUSE.

IF YOU GOOGLE "ABLITT HOUSE," THERE'S ALL KIND--PEOPLE HAVE COME AND TAKEN MOVIES IN THE ALLEY AND THEY PUT THEM ON FACEBOOK OR WHATNOT AND-- >> THIS ALL CAME AS A SURPRISE TO YOU, DIDN'T IT?

THAT ALL THIS ATTENTION WAS GONNA COME?

>> OH, WE'VE--WELL, WE NEVER THOUGHT WE'D EVER USE THIS PROPERTY.

WE NEVER THOUGHT WE'D BE ABLE TO BUILD ON IT BECAUSE YOU NEED A 10-FOOT SETBACK IN THIS AREA.

AND WE ONLY WERE 20 x 20.

>> YEAH.

>> BUT JEFF SHELTON CAME UP WITH A MIXED USE IDEA WHICH ELIMINATED THE SETBACK, AND THAT STARTED THE BALL ROLLING AND WE GOT THE VARIANCES, BUT.

>> WELL, YOU GOT IT DONE WITH THE HELP OF A LOT OF PEOPLE IN TOWN.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I HOPE THIS PROGRAM DOESN'T SPUR ON TOO MANY PEOPLE COMING BY.

>> WELL, YOU'LL HAVE TO COME BACK BECAUSE NEW THINGS ARE HAPPENING ALL THE TIME.

>> I CAN TELL.

THIS IS AN EVOLVING DREAM.

>> YES.

>> BUT THE POINT IS, THIS IS A DREAM, A DREAM COME TRUE.

THE ABLITT HOUSE, ABLITT TOWER HERE IN DOWNTOWN SANTA BARBARA.

WE'VE HAD A WONDERFUL DAY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE TOUR.

NOW, I'M GONNA GO DOWN AND GET ONE OF THOSE BOOKS OUT OF YOUR BOOKCASE AND GET SOME WINE OUT OF ONE OF THOSE-- >> [LAUGHING] OK, COME ON DOWN.

>> WE'RE GONNA END UP THE AFTERNOON.

>> IT'S GOTTA BE 5:00 P.M. SOMEWHERE.

>> HERE IN SANTA BARBARA.

HA HA!

>> "VISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER" IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM... [CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION] [CAPTIONED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE, INC.