50 Shades of Grey is an unparalleled literary case in its kind. The erotic trilogy by E.L. James has surpassed Harry Potter for number of sales, to the point that its author was included in the list of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine.

The global success of 50 Shades of Grey has made it a mass phenomenon and a collective mania: at Damson Dene Hotel in the Lake District the owner has replaced the volumes of the Bible in every room with a copy of 50 Shades of Grey, a restaurant in Barnstaple has started serving burgers called "50 shades of bacon", Inn & Gunn has launched a limited edition ale beer called "50 shades of green” containing damiana, an aphrodisiac herb.

The great success of sales of the book is inversely proportional to the appreciation of the critics: while recognizing the merit of James' novel which has broken many taboos about eroticism and freed open conversations about sex, from a literary point of view the work is not considered of any value.

However, 50 Shades of Grey is a worldwide best seller and received the final consecration to mass phenomenon with the film version.

As often happens with filmic versions of highly successful novels, the expectations of many passionate readers have been disappointed: apparently, the film fails to convey the same amotional charge of the book, the scenes are stingy and aseptic.

If the value of the cinematographic work is highly questionable, design enthusiasts appreciated the set design. A great number of articles published in design and decor magazines praised the environments of the film and in particular of Mr. Grey apartment, made by set designer C. Scott Baker, who was also involved in all other locations.

In an interview with Elle Decor, Baker explained that a set becomes a character in itself in a movie, and it’s capable of revealing to the viewer many details on the story and characters. Before conceiving the design and style of Christian Grey’s apartment, Baker has carefully studied the character and his background so that his apartment would reflect his personality at best.

The result is a radically modern enviroment, not cold but rather impersonal, which reflects Mr. Grey mania of control. Each room is full of clues to the personality of Christian and tells its own story in the background to the one told by the characters.

The most difficult environment to create, says Baker, was the Red Room of Pain, which in contrast to the other rooms of the apartment, neutral, elegant and impersonal, is characterized by a strong red color, the leather tile floor and a dense sensual and masculine atmosphere.

Mr. Grey’s penthouse does not exist in Seattle, it is a series of sets created in three different soundstages – one for the living room and the kitchen, one for the master bedroom, one for the hallway and Anastasia’s bedroom.

The attention to details is clear in the entrance hall of Grey's apartment. The private elevator doors are in hammered metal and the floors are marble. The lamp Turner Table of Delighfull Unique Lamps adds warmth and sense of luxury to the environment.

In the large living room, the protagonist is the grand piano that Christian plays during his sleepless nights. The sculpture sofas, with ultra-modern design, are matched to Sequoia table by Brabbu. A real touch of luxury is the golden console with the Coltrane Table lamp by Delighfull Unique Lamps. These products can be bought online through Tomassini Arredamenti website.

The kitchen island is made of wood and stainless steel, with a mini-wine cellar.

To recreate the style of the Christian Grey’s apartment, contact Tomassini Arredamenti.