Best Bets

Photo: Mitchell Feinberg

The Best Bet
This year, Tax Day comes April 17—two days later than usual—leaving 48 extra hours to dig frenziedly through receipts, canceled checks, and bank statements. And, of course, to shred unnecessary documents. This Fellowes shredder makes the chore easy: It not only devours fifteen sheets of paper at a time (including staples and paper clips), but it also effortlessly munches credit cards and even CDs. Throw in a seven-gallon wastebasket, and at least part of tax preparation just got less painful (Fellowes SB-85C, $249.99 at Staples, 1065 Sixth Ave., at 40th St.; 212-997-4446).

Photo: Davies + Starr

A Step Up From Leather Cuffs
Philip Crangi’s Triple Ring Cuff may be inspired by equestrian motifs, but it still looks rock and roll. It’s made of weighty blackened stainless steel accented with fourteen-karat-gold rivets and rings ($2,375 at Barneys New York, 660 Madison Ave., at 61st St.; 212-826-8900).

Photo: Courtesy of Maarten Baas for Moooi

A Chandelier Made From Dark Materials
Dutch designer Maarten Baas’s “Smoke” chandelier uses burned, epoxy-coated pieces of furniture to asymmetrical, oddly wonderful effect ($950 at The Future Perfect, 115 N. 6th St., at Berry St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-599-6278).

Photo: Davies + Starr

Madame’s Butterfly
Collecting insects, especially butterflies, was all the rage in Edwardian and Victorian times. The Evolution Store’s stock includes this Green Buddha swallowtail ($98 at 120 Spring St., nr. Mercer St.; 800-952-3195).

Photo: Davies + Starr

An Accessory to Melancholia
Stare moodily into Vagabond Vintage’s Edward Gorey–esque reflecting balls, made of mercury glass with a silver coating inside, just like the nineteenth-century originals ($62 to $76 at Bon Maison Compagnie, 140 Ninth Ave., at 19th St.; 212-989-5858).

Photo: Davies + Starr

Cutlery Worthy of a Knight
The handles on Christofle’s Renaissance knives, forks, and spoons are reminiscent of the Gothic architecture of European churches. A five-piece sterling-silver place setting is $3,246 (each piece sold separately at Christofle, 680 Madison Ave., nr. 61st St.; 212-308-9390).

Photo: Courtesy of Hirschl & Adler

The Real Goth Look
“In Pointed Style: The Gothic Revival in America, 1800–1860” opens this weekend at Hirschl & Adler. Much of the furniture is for sale, including this rosewood-and-maple dressing bureau, made by New York’sCharles A. Baudouine about 1850 ($75,000; 21 E. 70th St., nr. Madison Ave.; 212-535-8810).

Best Bets