One of the great privileges of working at Bracken House in the City of London is that our offices sit in the shadow of St Paul’s. Every time I walk into the office, I pass by Sir Christopher Wren’s baroque cathedral, and every time I catch my breath. Apparently there exists a condition, objectophilia, where people become uncommonly attached to or emotional about a building, and certainly, over the years I’ve come to think of St Paul’s as a friend.

I am not religious, though Lord knows I’m open to a spiritual awakening; a belief in the hereafter would certainly make it easier to process the news right now. But even a filthy heathen such as I can be quite transported by the extraordinary calm one finds in holy realms. This year I have visited some truly gorgeous churches: St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Roman Catholic church in Vienna, with its epic frescoes and gothic spires; the exquisitely simple Tre Chiese, a three-church complex in the province of Bolzano, whose earliest church, Santa Geltrude, was first documented in the 13th century; and the San Francisco de Asís Catholic Mission Church in Taos, New Mexico, the adobe-walled house of worship that has captivated artists, saints and sinners since 1816. For this issue we asked our tastemakers and contributors which sacred buildings have most inspired them. The list is multi-denominational, spectacular and unexpected: small pockets of wonder found all around the world. 

Those seeking enlightenment via more secular routes may be taken by Victoria Woodcock’s piece about the new enchanted mood in art. These figurative pieces have a mythic, folkloric and fairytale spirit, surreal in their storytelling and rich in allegory. Many remind me of The Water-babies, the children’s novel by Charles Kingsley, while others are more manga in style. Mostly, they are desperately pretty, awakening a childlike fascination with all things fantastical. 

Who will be visiting the cinema to see Timothée Chalamet do his impression of Bob Dylan? Early word about A Complete Unknown is buzzing and I for one am always keen to see anything starring Elle Fanning. Super-fans might like to consult our style guide – Aylin Bayhan has found 18 pieces to help you channel the singer’s ’60s cool. Sorry, we can’t provide the vocals. Those pipes just ain’t for sale.

We’ve also been to Bhutan with photographer Angelo Pennetta, who provides an evocative travelogue; and to Koko, in Camden, with Benjamin Canares and Felix Cooper, to create a stunning portfolio to satisfy all your party needs. And I’m taking notes on how to make the perfect Irish coffee (it needs ice-cold cream, apparently), dreaming of bespoke duvets and planning a visit to Tokyo – in particular its new landmark Muji store. I don’t believe in many things, but I believe in Muji: Christmas just isn’t Christmas without a stocking full of Gel Ink pens. 

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THREE MORE STORIES TO READ THIS WEEK

Someone take charge of the Christmas turkey! What happens when the best cook in the family can’t – or won’t – do the honours in the kitchen ‘My style icons are the women I’m related to’: fashion royalty Lucie de la Falaise talks taste The design consultant and former model on mustard, starburst mirrors and her late mother-in-law Anita Pallenberg Why Van Cleef & Arpels’ Alhambra is Richemont’s lucky charm   How a 56-year-old necklace seduced Gen Z

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