Lassco at Brunswick House, purveyor of reclamation, ornament and curiosities, is housed in a Georgian mansion by Vauxhall Cross in London. It’s surrounded by two fast lanes of traffic, back and front, and backed by the St George’s Wharf development, which dwarfs it. Against such a backdrop of modernity and fast track activity the magnificent double fronted house certainly is unique. It has a stature and pride reflective of the time period in which it was built and I’ve often whizzed past it while in the car and made a note to pop in.
So, recently that’s precisely what I did and what I discovered was a charming treasure trove. You will come across architectural pieces from columns to chimney pieces, furniture, flooring, and lighting. There’s even old street signs and clothes (bought from the English National Opera). You name it and it’s here. The stock spans the time from Georgian through to the 1960s.
I asked Director Ferrous Auger what was the essential difference between Lassco and an antiques dealer and he said that he simply doesn’t like the classification pertaining to an antique, i.e that an item has to be over 100 years old. If something is re-sellable and fashionable then Lassco will have it. Because of this Georgian hob grates nestle amongst English National Opera cast offs and 1960s wooden toys. In addition they sell most of their stock in the condition they found it with just a few pieces having been restored where it will significantly improve the possibility of a sale or the value of the piece. Lassco get the majority of their stock from private sales, or just people ‘selling stuff’, though they will also get contacted by museums or institutions that will be changing interiors and possess stuff they need to get rid of.
In Auger’s expert opinion, the marketplace for architectural salvage, or ‘particularly well-made furniture’, is growing, possibly because many are encouraged by the fact a product has lasted for so long. It’s also because ‘people are realising that they can pickup well-made Georgian furniture for only a fraction of what you would probably be buying new’, says Auger.
Rooms in Lassco are hired out for private functions and I can imagine would make a captivating ‘Jane Austen meets Austen Powers style’ venue for a celebration.
There’s also a fabulously eclectic cafe restaurant furnished with an variety of lights and furniture which are available for sale. So you may simply stop by for a cafe latte and emerge, having fallen deeply in love with the seat that you were sat on, with a fine Regency chaise tucked under your arm. A stroke of genius from the owners of Lassco.
If you’re interested in Georgian Interior Design then Lassco is a great spot to check out!
