A
fter spending holidays in
Tairua for over 40 years, Phil
and Elly Smith are now happy
to officially call Tairua ‘home’. Not just
their
home but also the new home of Talk of Turkey
Carpets, formerly of Auckland.
Intrigued by the photos and articles about the
Morrocan details of their home/showroom on
Tairua’s Ocean Beach Road, I popped in to
have a look. In the midst of an eclectic mix of
upscale homes, funky baches and everything
in between, this standout seems to have
rubbed the magic lamp. It’s gone all Aladdin!
Palm trees and flax surround this blue
plastered Mediterranean style abode,
complete with wrought iron balconies, heavy
wooden carved doors, and lovely gardens.
A softly sculpted blue fence with rough
wooden gates surrounds the front yard, and a
separate showroom has been added in what
was the garage.
The “flossied up skyline garage” as Phil put
it, was custom renovated by he and Elly in
1998, with the construction work done by
their builder son, Marc. “This has been our
holiday home since the ’70s”, says Phil, “and
we knew eventually we would semi-retire and
relocate the carpet business here.”
The interior retains some of that 1970s open
spaciousness – stainless steel mixing it up
with slate, Moroccan tiles, and of course a
huge selection of exotic Oriental carpets,
textiles and pillows tastefully arranged
everywhere you look.
This whole place invites entertaining, with a
large kauri table inside and tables on the back
decks which are edged by the tidal Graham’s
Creek. A bridge spans across the creek with a
handy little boat for harbour outings nearby.
EXOTIC EXPERTISE
How did Phil and Elly land in the Oriental
carpet business? Phil’s previous business led
to volumes of international travel. Elly would
often accompany him, and her expertise grew
with these travels, many to Turkey (hence
the name) and later to other countries in
the Middle East and Central Asia. She even
learned the Turkish language. Elly initially
ran the import business in partnership with
daughter Tracey Walker, who often travelled
with her. However, Phil soon caught the ‘rug
bug’ as well and the couple’s swelling passion
for textiles led to this successful import
venture in the 1980s.
“Elly is regarded as such an expert”, says Phil,
“she has regularly been called by government
agencies and insurance companies to verify
disputed valuations.” However, with the
volumes of time and travel logged in the
development of their business, Phil now
qualifies as an expert in this area as well.
“We select every piece ourselves from our
travels,” explains Elly. “Some are very rare,
true collector pieces, but we also have some
modern works, and of course cushions,
textiles, clothing, runners, tribal carpets, kilim,
prayer rugs...” And the list goes on. Collector’s
piece? The carpet on the wall in the couple’s
photo at left is over two hundred years old!
They are planning casual weekend carpet
sales and the occasional more festive open
houses. I for one look forward to more visits,
both for the eye-feast of colors and textures,
and to get to know more about this fascinating
couple.
-Tovi Daly
M
ake an appointment to visit their home
showroom by calling 07 864-9846 or see their
offerings online at
DECOR
021 177 1685
DECOR
AUTO
-
A Grade Mechanic
-
Courtesy Car
-
WOF’s
-
Tyres
-
Servicing
Ph
Malcolm 07 866 2120
8A Dakota Drive, Whitianga
ARBORIST
Specialists in
large & difficult removals
Ph 866 3301 or 0800 94 48 44
Climbing Arborists
Hedges
Quality Firewood
Tree Care
Mulch ...
& more
ACCOMMODATION
58
COROMANDEL LIFE LATE AUTUMN/WINTER
ELECTRICAL
a
Air Conditioning / HeatPumps
– Sale & Installation
Fujitsu & Mitsubishi Accredited Installer
a
Electrical Installations
– New & Alterations
a
Electrical Servicing & Repairs
– Fisher & Paykel
Authorized Service Centre
CT GRAEME
Tairua ElEcTrical limiTEd
Ph/Fax:
07-864-9019
•
Mobile:
021-893-908
a
Air Conditioning / HeatPumps
– Sale & Installation
Fujitsu & Mitsubishi Accredited Installer
a
Electrical Installations
– New & Alterations
a
Electrical Servicing & Repairs
– Fisher & Paykel
Authorized Service Centre
CONTACT GRAEME
Tairua ElEcTrical limiTEd
Ph/Fax:
07-864-9019
•
Mobile:
021-893-908
Tairua’s
Magic
Carpet
Skyline
”
Phil and Elly
Smith in their
‘Talk of Turkey
Carpets’ home
showroom
in Tairua.
around and about the Coromandel
