There are those special places that we occasionally come across, that remove all sturdy pillars holding up our walls of controlled, sensible living, and whisk us away with an insurgence of playfulness that’s itching to come out. A childlike yearning to resort to a carefree, frivolous view of the world around us, and indeed ourselves. A place that’s instantly timeless, classically tasteful, imaginary and whimsical. Yet cosy and nostalgic too. When we do stumble across these special places, we are reminded of the better life. The clocks stop, the worries dissipate and the merrymaking mischief begins.