Reverb Shop by Ensemble ZKG

Oh, hello there! It’s been a minute.

Thought I’d add a link here to my Reverb.com shop where I’ve been selling brass instruments. Take a look and drop me a line if you see anything you like and want to purchase. Thanks!

Here are a few highlights that have already sold:

Yamaha YTR 9910 C/Bb/A Piccolo Trumpet. SOLD for $5795.oo

Yamaha YTR 9910 C/Bb/A Piccolo Trumpet – SOLD

F.E. Olds & Son Fullerton Flugelhorn – SOLD for $1895.oo

F.E. Olds & Son Flugelhorn (Fullerton L-12 Model) – SOLD

Yamaha YTR 9445 CHS (Gen 1) C Trumpet. SOLD for $5685.oo

Yamaha YTR 9445 CHS (Gen 1) C Trumpet – SOLD

Kanstul 923 D/Eb Trumpet. SOLD for $2945.oo

Kanstul 923 D/Eb Trumpet – SOLD

Selmer Signet Flugelhorn. SOLD for $879.oo

Selmer Signet Flugelhorn – SOLD

Right now I have a Yamaha YFH 731 Flugel, a rare 1954 Martin Flugel, a pair of vintage Olds Los Angeles trumpets available, and more on the way.

Keep watching for new additions and interesting inventory.

-Zak

Mid-Century Antiques Imported to California

We bought some antiques at auction and vintage items from an estate. Next, we imported them and now they are available for purchase in California.

Vintage British Mid-Century Sideboards

 

a few of our finds: sideboard, vanity, G Plan chairs, black ceramic lamps

 

These items are British in heritage, coming from an auction house that specializes in mid-century finds from the UK. Some have clearly visible branding, while others are just beautiful without a specific designer pedigree.

64″ Sideboard – EC-1015-353  $1995.00

64″ Sideboard – EC-1015-353

detail: inlaid carved wooden drawer pulls

This item has beautifully integrated carved-wood drawer pulls along with book-matched veneer door and drawer fronts. Interior adjustable shelves are concealed behind each side door. The bracket base has stretcher supports perpendicular to the tapered legs. 64 x 18 x 30 1/2

 

4-Drawer Vanity – EC-1015-383  $2995.00

4-Drawer Vanity – EC-1015-383

This light colored standing vanity has a fun, retro vibe, vertical wood grain texture and stands high on gracefully tapered legs. The mirror is a unique shape and sits above two wide drawers and two small drawers along with counter space for small items or a tray. This would make a great bar! 36 1/2 x 16 x 38, mirror height 64″

2-Tone Surfboard Vanity w Brass Inlay EC-1015-029  $1895.00

 

Surfboard Vanity w Brass Inlay EC-1015-029

Oh, hello there! How does one photograph a mirror?!? (Two oval mirrors not pictured.)  Surfboard Vanity w Brass Inlay EC-1015-029

This vanity desk sits at a comfortable height and has a large central television-tube-shaped mirror along with two adjustable oval side mirrors (not pictured). Two desk-style drawers on each side have inlaid brass detail, with the top drawers painted by a previous owner. One large center drawer floats under a surfboard-shaped console shelf. 62 x 19 x 24 1/2, mirror height 48″

Gomme G-Plan Dining Chairs (set/2) – EC-1015-172-X2  $695.00

G-Plan Chairs, Teak with red upholstery – EC-1015-172-X2

G-Plan Chairs, profile view & rear view – EC-1015-172-X2

This pair of teak chairs have wonderful smooth lines and clean, simple red textured upholstery. Stamped with “G-Plan Danish Design” and a signature from _Ib Kofod-Larsen_ on the bottom cambric. Stamped on the frame with manufacturer’s mark “EG, E. Gomme, High Wycombe,  G-Plan”

73″ Sideboard – EC-1015-311  $2495.00 – Update: SOLD

SOLD – 73″ Sideboard – EC-1015-311

 

This piece caught our attention with its interesting wood figure, smooth-carved drawer pulls, bracket base and tapered legs. The top of four drawers is lined in gray felt to preserve silverware and keep it from tarnishing. The side cabinet doors conceal an adjustable-height interior shelf and have magnetic closures.  73 x 18 x 30 – Update: SOLD

 

Mid-Century Coffee Table – EC-1015-149  $300.00

Mid-Century Coffee Table – EC-1015-149

Clean and elegant, this medium size coffee table has removable tapered pin legs with brass caps and a clean walnut finish.

Vintage Ceramic Table Lamps with Ivory Shades (set/2) – EC-1015-272-X2  $300.00

Black Ceramic Lamps EC-1015-272-X2

Black Ceramic Lamps EC-1015-272-X2

Black ribbed ceramic table lamps have a rich dark glaze, brass sockets and clean ivory shades.

Vintage FlexSteel 88″ Sofa  $1195.00 – Update: Sold

SOLD – Vintage FlexSteel 88″ Sofa

This sofa is vintage green gold! (with original delivery slip and dealer inventory receipt still attached underneath) Three loose seat and three back cushions are reversible/rotatable, with no visible stains. Nubby, green and natural boucle-textured upholstery. Solid back legs with spherical brass front casters. Low, mid-century arm profile and clean back line, this sofa sits firm but comfy, especially with a martini in hand. (with olives, natch!) Decking label reads “This fine furniture begins on the inside. Tailored by Flexsteel.” Arm caps included.  88 x 33 x 30  ::Update: SOLD::

Vintage Velvet Chairs (set/2) – EC-TG-202-X2  $895.00

Vintage Velvet Chairs (set/2) – EC-TG-202-X2

Beautiful velvet chairs with mid-century style flared arm detail and tufted seat backs. Plush green velvet upholstery is clean and smooth. Reversible/Rotatable loose seat cushions. Solid back legs with spherical brass front casters.  32 x 33 x 29

 

An Open Letter to Design In Conversation Listeners

Reposting this here from my podcast website, DesignInConversation.com

Design In Conversation

Hello dear Design In Conversation listeners, subscribers, and followers.

First of all thank you for your support of this podcast. Since our launch in November of 2013, over 20,000 of you have clicked, downloaded, subscribed and pressed play to at least one episode of Design In Conversation. Knowing that all of you (most of which I have never seen or met) have heard my voice is simultaneously exciting and overwhelming. Whether you’ve listened to just one, or tuned into every episode and shared them with your friends, colleagues and fellow design aficionados, your support is very much appreciated.

Our goal with this project has been to share an interesting point of view of the design community in general, but more importantly, to share the voice of designers, artists, makers and creative personalities, giving you access to the voices behind the designs you know and admire, plus introduce you to some in the…

View original post 350 more words

Tri Time – Fundraising for CHLA

Hello everyone, 

It’s triathlon time again! 

Time for me to #swim, #bike, and #run in preparation for the Nautica Malibu Triathlon.

Nautica Malibu Tri finish line

This is my fifth time racing in Malibu and I’m again raising money for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). 

:: Donate Here ::

I’m raising money for a great cause through Disney Tri Team and hope you’ll help me on my way to a goal of $500. 

I’ve done this before, so if you’ve heard me say some of these things previously, you can skip to the most important part and Donate Here. If not, here goes…

 

I started participating in the sport of triathlon five years ago when I signed up for the Malibu Tri as my first multi-sport race. I had recently started running that spring (after reading Running for Mortals), was bike commuting to work (most days), and my gym had a pool so I had all the training tools at my disposal and was looking for a new challenge. I taped a full-page ad torn out of Men’s Health magazine onto my tv – the thinking there being, I had to take the page off the screen before I would watch television – as motivation. I had to consciously decide not to train if I was sitting on my butt to watch television. It worked. I watched less tv, got out more, improved my health and finished the race faster than my goal. 

My first triathlon experience at Malibu was great

my first triathlon

and I’ve been a tri disciple since then. 

Over the past few years I’ve increased distance, added CrossFit to the mix, upped my bike commuting and eaten more vegetables in a pursuit of better overall health. (But I still find ways to invest in empty calories as well…) Triathlon as a hobby has given much to me and I like the philanthropic nature of this race in particular, which is one of the reasons I keep coming back to race in Malibu. 

Each year since 1986, MESP has supported local charities by fundraising through this race. They have fostered a competitive culture of giving through the Corporate & Entertainment Challenges. Companies like Disney, NBC/Universal, CBS, Paramount, Toyota, Paul Mitchell, Wynn Hotels, CNN and Warner Brothers all compete to raise money for a great cause. 

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is one of the nation’s top children’s hospitals and is acknowledged worldwide for its leadership in pediatric and adolescent health. You may have seen stories like this and this (with Chris Pratt of Guardians of The Galaxy)

Chris Pratt visiting CHLA

in your newsfeed not realizing that this is part of the world-class care CHLA provides its young patients. 

I’m asking you to help by contributing to a cause I believe in: helping kids with cancer and blood-related illness through CLHA’s research and treatment programs. 

:: Donate Here ::

 

My goal is $500, so every bit helps. Whether it’s five bucks, one hundred, or any amount in between, whatever you can contribute will help care for kids fighting tough diseases receive the best care available. 

:: Donate Here ::

Once again I have the privilege of racing with the Disney Tri Team

and I want to match last year’s goal of raising $500 for the team and CHLA. With your help I know we can exceed that goal. Will you donate and help me raise money for this worthy cause? 

:: Donate Here ::

Thanks for your donation and thanks for supporting CHLA!!

-Zak 

 

Flower Power For Our Honeybees

flowers and nectar + trees, bees, and hops

Rogue Farms

This is the greatest time of year to be a Rogue Farms honeybee.

We’re in the middle of the summer nectar flow, when gazillions of wildflowers, blackberry flowers and clover fill the fields surrounding our farm.

It’s the honeybee’s version of an all you can eat for free buffet. But for our bees, that’s not good enough.

View original post 212 more words

Episode 12. Kelli Ellis and Design Camp

Episode 12 of Design In Conversation is now available…Enjoy!

Design In Conversation

My guest this episode is interior designer, author and Design Camp counselor, Kelli Ellis.

Interior Designer Kelli Ellis

Download the episode here to listen to our conversation covering her work as designer for notable celebrity clients, designing for reality television and her concept of design psychology as described in her new book, “Do I Look Skinny In This House?”.

Links from this episode:

Kelli’s blog and videos

IDI Interior Designers Institute

Do I Look Skinny In This House?

Kelli’s book, Do I Look Skinny In This House

Kelli’s new book is available in hardcover, paperback, or on your kindle.

High Point Style Spotters

klout.com

Design Camp, founded by Kelli Ellis and Lori Dennis

Interior Design Camp by Kelli Ellis and Lori Dennis

Don’t forget, Design In Conversation listeners receive a $500 discount off registration for the upcoming Design Camp, July 29-31. Register here with promo code VEGAS.

View original post 116 more words

Planting My Hops

My hops arrived in a nice neat box less than a week after I ordered them. I immediately opened them up, took a quick pic and uploaded them to instagram. Here they are still in the box (and sans filter).

hops in a box

I hadn’t yet picked up my gardening essentials to plant them, so I headed on over for some planting mix, some organic fertilizer and some small planter pots.

Here’s what they look like now that they’re planted. (l to r Liberty, Glacier, Centennial, Zeus)

my planted hops, day 1

Liberty measures 7″ with two small bines (I initially thought it was vines, with a V, but what I read here and here said bines, with a B, so that’s what I’m going with.)

Liberty hops, day 1

Glacier measures 7 1/2″ with five bines (+ one tiny bine if you wanna count it too)

Glacier hops, day 1

Centennial measures 4 1/2″ with eight bines. It’s kinda short but full.

Centennial hops, day 1

Zeus measures 6″ with eleven bines. He’s the fullest including three small sprouts about 2″ or so each.

Zeus hops, day 1

Here’s another shot from Day 1 which shows them in the mid-afternoon sun.

planted hops in mid-afternoon sun, day 1

Follow Sharehopper on twitter (or me here, here and here) as I post updates now and again.

If you have any advice on growing or harvesting hops be sure to drop me a line.

Cheers!

Sharehopper

Sooo… Katrina brought home a magazine article from the doctor’s office, titled “The Backyard Beer Garden” and it got me thinking.

She’s been planting a lot of succulents lately, actually starting back before last Christmas when we gave some as holiday gifts to friends. Definitely wielding her green thumb and adding to the greenery inside and outside our home.

Anyway, I’ve been inspired to try my hand in the soil cultivation world rather than just being a semi-passive observer and the muscle loading and unloading from our trips to the local greenhouse, plant nursery and garden supply stores.

I’ve decided to grow hops.

Hops

And with those hops, I plan to make beer.

Beer!

That is, to cooperate with our friends and home brewers Jody & Laurel to make a beer together. Katrina and I will share the bounty of hops we grow and in turn we’ll borrow J&L’s expertise and experience to brew a joint bottled venture I’ve preliminarily titled Sharehopper. Get it? Share…Hops… Sharehopper!

Ale? Pilsner? Kolsch? Lager? Not sure yet, to be determined…

So I’ve ordered four different kinds of field grade hops in an attempt to test varietals and sun/shade placement.

Centennial

Zeus

Glacier

and Liberty

I ordered from Great Lakes Hops (aka Dutch Touch Growers) and the rhizomes should arrive soon. Then it’s time to plant, water and wait to see what nature has in store. I chose mainly on name, but ultimately to test flavor (duh, beer!) once they mature and are harvested.

I’m not promising frequent updates, but the occasional snapshot or lesson learned may appear here on the blog and likely on my twitter and instagram feeds. (p.s. Follow me!)

If you’ve got any experience or tips you’d like to share on growing hops, send me a note! Any advice is appreciated.

Until next time,

Cheers!

Episode 10. School Night Conversations (Part 2)

…Episode 10 now available in iTunes…

Design In Conversation

This episode culls three more interviews conducted during School Night for the Design Trade a Design Circle event hosted by Snyder Diamond at their Santa Monica location. Download the episode here to hear from our guests:

Mike Grosswendt, president of All Coast Construction

Mike Grosswendt

Mike Grosswendt on instagram and his sprint car racing blog SurfnSprint.com

All Coast Construction blog, on facebook and twitter

Monique Lafia of Lafia Arvin Interior Design

Monique Lafia

Lafia Arvin on facebook, houzz and youtube

We also spoke with the evening’s master of ceremonies Christian May.

Interior Decorator Christian May

Listen to Christian’s Designer Profile episode here. Visit his blog, and keep up with him on instagram, twitter, pinterest, facebook and everywhere on “teh internets”.

Download Part 1 of this episode here.

If you’d like more information on anything mentioned in this episode, send us your questions…

View original post 12 more words

Episode 9. School Night Conversations (Part 1)

Design In Conversation

This episode culls three interviews conducted during School Night for the Design Trade a Design Circle event hosted by Snyder Diamond at their Santa Monica location. Download the episode here to hear from our guests:

Susan Cohen of Susan Cohen Associates Interior Design

Susan Cohen

Susan Cohen Associates on houzz, Dering Hall and facebook

Russ Diamond, President of Snyder Diamond

Russ Diamond

Snyder Diamond on facebook, twitter, pinterest and houzz

and Gary Paster of Paster Construction and American Saferoom Door (technical consultant for Panic Room starring Jodie Foster, Kristen Stewart, Forest Whitaker and Jared Leto, directed by David Fincher)

Interior Architecture by Paster Construction

Beachfront Residence by Paster Construction

Paster Construction on twitter, facebook and youtube

Also after the event, we spoke with the evening’s master of ceremonies Christian May. Download and listen to his Designer Profile episode here.

Part 2 of this episode is…

View original post 32 more words