Chris Glass’ Chic Retreat in Berlin
Photographs by Jochen Arndt. This is an update of an article written by Bryan Mason in 2020.
There are jobs that become your whole world and jobs that open the whole world to you. Chris Glass’ job might be a little of both. As Director of European Membership for the renowned Soho House, the US-born, Georgia-native has been living around the world for nearly twenty years, following studies in theatre at the Boston Conservatory. The last seven of those years have been spent in Berlin, in a 1200-square-foot, 2-bedroom apartment that he has worked extensively to turn into a reflection of his global lifestyle and tastes.
“The flat was lackluster and definitely needed a facelift,” Chris says, recalling his first visit to the space. “It was being shared by 3 folks – each with a bedroom. It had been split off from a neighboring flat many years ago and had not been renovated since then.” However, recognizing the potential, Chris was quick to take the place and get to work building his vision, starting with the living room. Describing his style as “Bohemian Chic”, the living room is a full display of Chris’ love of eclectic influences. Mid-century seating is surrounded by various types of iconography, sculpture, art and books on fashion and style.
A frequent entertainer, Chris has found that the living room is a favorite among his guests. “This big open space is a bit unexpected,” he reveals. “And the combination of the plants against the luxe vintage pieces always draws a reaction.” When asked about his favorite pieces in his home, Chris was quick to report: “My coffee table from Maison Jansen is a highlight. It took me ages to find something that suited the space and I ended up with a piece that I absolutely cherish.”
The dining room is a fluid continuation of the living room’s aesthetic, mixing warm wood tones with the cooler shades of the walls, art and tabletop. The intriguing interplay of wood, stone and fur that characterizes this space reveals another point about Chris’ design aesthetic. “I like to make bold choices in interiors and I’m fond of color and texture,” he admits. “But it’s still important that the space feels warm and, more than anything, functional.”
During the renovation process, the kitchen was one of the major points of focus. To begin with, he opened the wall separating the space from the living room. “The kitchen was a tiny box and the space needed more light,” he says. From there, some cabinets were removed, while others had their facades changed; shelves and storage were built and appliances were added and rearranged. “This was a big chunk of work, but it made a world of difference.” The finished space received a full treatment of Chris’ bohemian aesthetic, with shelves adorned with clay miniature houses as well as glasses, plants and food containers.
Though Chris’ use of color tends towards the subtle in his rooms, in the hall the tone changes, becoming bold, moody and captivating. “I literally painted everything I could,” he says about the redesign, noting that paint was an ideal way to rapidly change the look of the home. “I did the lion’s share of the work very early on because it was important to me to create a nest as quickly as possible,” he states. Covering the space in deep green - verging on black - the dark tone becomes a neutral, providing a perfect backdrop for the artwork and assorted tchotchkes that dot the walls.
Further on, the hallway becomes a sort of art gallery, showcasing the fruits of a passion that began as a child. “When I was young, my mother collected art and I always thought of it as something beautiful, but unattainable,” Chris remembers. “Today I appreciate that the works I have are for me. They are personal mementos.”
Chris’ home office is open and peaceful, the perfect space for hosting a friend for a few days. The seafoam-green wall and sand-colored curtains and rug evoke a vaguely beach-like atmosphere that feels effortless. It’s interesting then that Chris singles this space out as the hardest part of his initial redesign, explaining that “because the room is so compact, I struggled to create a layout that was functional, but still aesthetically pleasing.”
Part of his solution was to fill the space with art. This very vertical gallery wall accents the room’s high ceilings while giving additional space to Chris’ art collection. Chris underscores the importance of his collection, saying, “the artwork in my flat all has very personal meaning. Some were gifted to me by artist friends directly or were gifts for friends that I loved so much that I had them made for me too.”
The bedroom is, without question, Chris’ favorite room in his apartment. “I love my bedroom because it’s so spacious and it feels very calm,” he says. With enough room to fit a love seat under the window next to a full bedroom set, it still has space left over for a walk-in closet. But size isn’t the only attraction in this room. Its main asset is the relaxed feel that comes from the very smart use of a blush pink on the wall that strikes Chris as “both modern and romantic.” It’s also a great place to relax while getting a view of Chris’ neighborhood in Berlin’s trendy Mitte district. “If I peek out my window, I get a glimpse of Berlin’s TV tower,” he notes.
Another part of the relaxing feel of the bedroom comes from the fact that it is a far more minimalist space than some of Chris’ other rooms. Absent here are the overflowing bookshelves or rows of wall art that give such life and energy to the rest of the home. In this room they’re replaced by open spaces, engaging colors and simple pieces like the overlapping circles that hang on the wall next to the bed. The almost zen simplicity of the art contrasts the intricate design of the table lamp to land the room in a space that isn’t too busy or too boring, but just right.
“I think my flat feels very warm,” Chris reflects on his home and its design. “At least that’s the feedback I often get. You come in and you instantly feel ‘at home’. I come in and feel instantly wrapped in arms of comfort and tucked away from the commotion below. It gives me reassurance that every book and nook is something I’ve chosen, and though everything has its place, it doesn’t feel stiff or set. There’s lots to discover and it has a global spirit.”
Chris Glass’ apartment is a true reflection of his eclectic, global lifestyle. Through a combination of bold design choices, personal art collections, and an inviting atmosphere, he has created a space that feels both functional and full of character. From the bohemian-inspired living room to the serene bedroom, each room tells a unique story of his travels and tastes. By carefully blending textures, colors, and personal mementos, Chris has transformed his home into a warm, dynamic sanctuary that perfectly mirrors his personality and experiences.
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