Coromandel Life Magazine 2015 Winter V3

37 / 56

they also became
involved in the
avocado industry,
planting 200 trees
over a period of
years.
Outspace is
the new direction the couple sought after
downsizing their farming operation. Sharyn
says “it’s fun to search for new products
and work out ways to display them to best
advantage. There has been a lot for us to
discuss and work through, including marketing
ideas and working out our systems. We love the
feedback from people – good or bad – so we
can improve things. But we mostly get amazing
feedback – especially from city folk who
frequently say ‘why haven’t we got anything
like this at home!!??’ We wanted a ‘point
of difference’, and we really feel like we’ve
achieved that.”
Having had valuable mentoring from Ian
Handricks, an Auckland based business guru,
they are now mainly concentrating on building
Outspace, with little thought for time off or
vacations. Philip says, “We want to try and
maintain continuity. We feel it’s important to
stay open all seasons as much as we can.”
THE MORCOMS
Partners
into Planters
Such is the artistry that has gone
into creating Outspace – its
elegantly arranged ornamental
urns and planter pots, topiary,
sculpture and outdoor furniture – that
at first glance it could easily be mistaken for
a park, a beautiful little sanctuary on the edge
of the Whitianga ‘CBD’. However, don’t be
fooled! Outspace is very much a business
enterprise, now entering its second year of
operation, offering ‘unique and interesting
products’ for outdoor spaces. Included among
the impressive range of pots, landscape
features and garden art, are cedar garden
sheds, fabulous outdoor fires and chimineas – a
veritable treasure trove of shape and textures
on display and “everything is for sale!”
What motivated long-time residents Sharyn and
Philip Morcom to start up Outspace? Looking
for a new venture, the couple was inspired
by Carol Bucknell and Sally Tagg’s book Big
Ideas for Small Gardens. Having used some
of the book’s design elements for their own
garden, they felt there was a niche for beautiful
yet affordable landscape and garden design
products on the Coromandel.
The Morcoms returned to Cooks Beach from
Auckland 19 years ago so Philip could take
over his father’s sheep and cattle farm. Philip,
who is qualified in amenity horticulture, had
worked in a senior role at Auckland’s Cornwall
Park while Sharyn’s career was in sales and
journalism. While farming at Cooks Beach
The Morcoms recently celebrated their first
anniversary with a customer and business
association event ‘Business After 5’ at the
Outspace site. It was a huge success and
well attended. “We were able to explain that
our focus is to provide unique and inspiring
products for the outdoor environment that are
affordable. People who had never visited us
before were amazed at the range on offer, and
how well priced our products are”.
Plans for the future? The couple just announced
they have committed to sponsoring what
is hoped to be an annual art event dubbed
the ‘Outspace Art Project’. Local artists will
be compiling still life drawings of Outspace
products, culminating in an exhibition and prize
giving in August. Something to look forward to
indeed…
Want to see more? Get inspired by the unique
range of products. Pop over for a look on Cook
Drive or view their website at
Traditional carpets
Modern rugs
Decor pieces
Cushions
Runners
Textiles
SHOWROOM OPEN FOR VIEWING
10am to 4pm the last Sunday of every month
Enjoy our hospitality – no form of sales pressure here! We know rugs...since the 1980s!
ALSO OPEN by APPOINTMENT ~ Call us! •
The Talk of Turkey Carpets
129 Ocean Beach Road, Tairua
07 8649846 or 0216670808
Handpicked
by experts
Phil and
Elly Smith
37
by Kate
Palmano