Dante had to go through nine circles of Hell and seven of Purgatory before he reached Paradise. Luckily, the journey for Savvy isn’t so arduous: it’s right on The Avenue. Paradiso is like a gentlemen’s curio cabinet come to life. Or a miniature version of the American Craft Council Show. Curated by husband-and-wife owners Ric Martinkus and Sharona Gamliel, this singular store stocks everything from Art Deco antiques to mid-century modern classics to handcrafted jewelry to raku pottery to the whimsical, otherworldly textile “paintings” of Chris Roberts-Antieau. Every time she walks in here, Savvy wants to throw out everything in her house and redecorate à la Paradiso. It broke her heart recently to forgo a leopard-print chaise lounge worthy of Mata Hari because there was just no room for it. Two new lines, however, caught her eye: architectural handbags by Wendy Stevens and Metalace bowls by Talila Abraham. Who knew stainless steel could be so sensuous? The handbags fly out the door, so if you want that red billfold Savvy has her eye on, better hurry. She’ll leave the gray “La Sera” evening purse and black iPhone carrier to you (Savvy is lucky she knows how to text; an iPhone is too advanced for her). But no technical expertise is required to appreciate the delicate décor based on antique lace patterns: Savvy will take the Sultana candlesticks and 19th-century Romanian bobbin lace pattern bowl. Oh, and don’t forget to go up to the second floor! 1015 W. 36th St., 410-243-1317, http://www.paradisohampden.com
