Sleep Easy
Ever since we posted about our new organic and natural latex mattress (the Organic Serenity Natural Dunlop Latex Mattress By Savvy Rest) a slew of readers have been clamoring for a one-month-into-new-mattress-ownership post so… here it is. You might remember that my obsession with all things eco made me yearn for a pure and organic mattress free of fireproofing chemicals and made from 100% natural materials that are just as good for the planet as they are for people. So we saved our pennies for months (we even had a “mattress fund”) until we could make the big purchase, and of course had high hopes that a month into our decadent 11″ natural mattress ownership we’d still be loving everything about our selection. Well… we’re pleased as punch to report that we’re even more enamored with our purchase than we had hoped. Even Burger sleeps more soundly these days. No kidding.
But how does one really evaluate a new mattress anyway? How about based on comfort, quality of sleep, and morning-after-aches (or the lack thereof)? Here’s how our ancient hand-me-down spring mattress stacked up in those categories on a scale of 1-10:
- Comfort: 3 (hard as a rock, but a featherbed helped a bit)
- Quality Of Sleep: 5 (we usually woke up at least a few times each night to toss and turn and get comfortable again)
- Morning-After-Aches: 8 (as in, there were a lot of them)
And here’s how our new natural latex encased in organic wool & cotton measures up:
- Comfort: 9 (it’s supportive yet sink-in-able, and we settle into it instantly)
- Quality Of Sleep: 8 (we often sleep right through the night and don’t wake up til the alarm goes off)
- Morning-After-Aches: 1 (sometimes we wake up with sore arms or tight legs but it’s from painting & demo, not the bed – though it did take a couple of nights for our bodies to adjust to a new level of support)
But what about how they compare in the safety arena? A few readers voiced their concern about forgoing those flameproofing chemicals that we worked so hard to avoid but the good news is that we’ve since learned straight from the mattress makers that they pass all federal burn tests with flying colors thanks to the organic wool mattress encasement. Isn’t it amazing that something so natural and pure can have flame-resistant qualities? Now it’s even easier to sleep soundly knowing that we’re protected and comfortable.
We also had a few people who were concerned with the idea of picking a mattress on the internet instead of laying around on one in a showroom. We’re extremely happy to report that thanks to the helpful phone support (you can call and talk about what you’d like in a mattress and they’ll help you choose the density of each layer) we were able to select the perfect mattress “virtually” and a month later we’re still super satisfied with our choice. One thing we learned from their staff was that although the idea of latex sounds super soft and squishy, natural Dunlop latex is actually quite firm. So even though we like a firm and supportive mattress, we went with a layer of medium followed by another layer of medium and topped by a layer of soft (it certainly didn’t sound like the formula for a moderately firm mattress, but they were right- it really is perfect!). With that in mind we’d suggest going with three layers of soft for anyone who wants something extra cushy since just one layer of soft plus two mediums adds up to a pretty firm end product.
So that’s our mattress recap over a month into ownership. Hope it helps! But what about you guys? Have you made any sleep-soundly upgrades in the form of new pillows, a featherbed, or a new sheet set? Tell us all about your resting place upgrades of late!
Oh and speaking of new bedroom accessories, check out the new accent pillow that we snagged from one of our favorite giveaways of yore. We love the crisp printed black on white lettering and you can grab one of your own Paris pillows for just 15 beans right here. Ooh la la.
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Comments
my bf and i were treated to 600 thread count egyptian cotton sheets as a gift from his mom. they are oh so i-dont-wanna-get-outta-bed-ever fantastic. we love them. sheets like that arent exactly in the budget for us, but we are always on the lookout when we go shopping now to find some that are on sale or seem to be a reasonable price, definitely going on this years christmas list! haha. my bf loves them so much that when i change the sheets to wash them every week he says he has a hard time sleeping on the “scratchy sheets”.
We have the same Savvy Rest LOL. We were able to buy from a local dealer and try a few out first, which was helpful. We’ve had ours for about 3 years now. We upgraded from our old (traditional, flame retardant filled) Queen mattress when I was pregnant w/ our 2nd child (and our oldest was still cosleeping part time). It was blissful to have that big King-sized mattress while pregnant LOL, and nice to enjoy it while cosleeping when my daughter was born.
I’m a huge fan and it was a purchase we’ve been very happy with! I wish you many blissful nights upon your ecofriendly, healthy Savvy Rest! :)
Hey Lindsay,
Our platform bed is from Ikea. It’s called the Malm bed and we love the simple lines and classic wood tone. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
We made the switch from a regular comforter to a down duvet. Best choice ever! It feels like we’re sleeping in a cloud. I was worried that it might be too hot for the summer, but it has been perfect year round.
We got a new mattress in the fall (upgraded to a king) and it does make a huge difference. The only thing is that we have a hump in the middle, despite all the $$ we spent. But, either side of the hump is super-comfy.
Did you guys notice your bedroom is featured on msn.com? I noticed it there today in a story about “sexy bedrooms”. Looks like it was pulled from your feature in the Nest magazine.
http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-home/room-design/staticslideshowtkt.aspx?cp-documentid=20508132
Hey Laura,
No way! Thanks so much for the link. Off to check it out…
xo,
s
We just built a bed! It was a ton of work but very rewarding. Visit my blog for pics: http://tendingtothebaobabs.blogspot.com/2009/07/we-built-bed.html
Now I’m more eager than ever to get one of these mattresses! We’re moving into a new house in a month with an actual guest bedroom (Finally! I can’t believe it!) so we want to get a new mattress for us and put ours in the guest room (sorry guests). I’m glad to hear you love it.
My Dad is a firm believer that, if you are going to be breathing it every night and all night a majority of your life, it should be natural materials.
I’ve decided maybe there’s something to this.. (don’t tell my Dad)
Hi Guys,
Thanks for all of the info. Love the new pillow! Also, I’m hosting a giveaway today and I wanted to return the favor and invite you to participate.
Did you guys keep the old -can’t remember what it’s called- base where the mattress actually rests? And replaced the mattress but keep the bottom part? I am actually purchasing a mattress this week and can’t decide if I should buy the whole thing or just the mattress. And what did you do with the old mattress? I’m trying craigslist but no luck yet. Thanks!
My husband has an old queen mattress that is hard as a rock and you can feel all the springs. About a year ago, we decided to get a foam topper, since we couldn’t afford anything else. And we are so glad we did! With just a couple inches of memory foam, it’s like sleeping on clouds.
We also just received the same bedframe as yours from a friend who didn’t need it anymore. We were just on a box spring right on the floor and the new frame is so wonderful! The bed feels so much more sturdy now. It’s very nice :)
Youngsters, reading this made me ready for bed! It looks wonderful. We recently purchased a new 11″ mattress as well, and 6 months later, I’m still wondering why we didn’t do that 6 years ago. It’s a pretty penny, but a penny that’s oh-so-worth-it.
Hey Nikki – you’re probably thinking of the box spring. We actually didn’t have one in this case because we have a platform bed, so the mattress rests directly on support slats. We actually Freecyled our old mattress. Zero dollars made, but we got rid of the old thing in a flash. You can read about the whole thing here: http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/06/freestyle/
You might also be talking about the wooden slats that came with our Ikea bed (where the mattress rests since we don’t have a boxspring). If so, we didn’t replace those and just plunked our new mattress onto them. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
We registered for quality pillows and pillow covers (like cases, but zip up) and they’ve been the best thing ever. Instead of buying a $20 pillow 3x a year, we’ve slept on these $60 pillows for over a year now.
And as yucky as it is to think about, my husband’s sweaty head hasn’t permeated the often washed pillow cover, so there’s no need to replace anything yet. I guess just the pillow case isn’t enough sometimes!
I hope I never have to sleep on cheap (or dingy) pillows again.
Wow, I guess you can buy anything online. I definitely prefer to shop online so that’s good to know that they have a helpful service to help you determine the type of bed. I think I would choose better this way actually, instead of going to the store and laying on each one. I mean how comfortable are you going to be lying on a bed in a store anyways? Helpful as always!
I always thought the contour memory foam pillows looked like they would be super uncomfortable, but after sleeping on one for a few nights, my achy neck and shoulders say “ohhh yeeeahhhhhhhh”.They make eco friendly ones too, so you can have one without all the harmful chemicals…
So, I have to ask…Do the three different layers ever shift? I know they are all zipped up together, but do they shift within the cover?
Hey Sara,
So glad you asked. We meant to address this in the post: the layers don’t move one tenth of a centimeter! They’re completely stuffed into the cover and so densely packed in there that they’re essentially one big layer and the three smaller layers that come together create something so infinitely merged that even if you’re pushing or pulling on just the top of the mattress they won’t move an inch. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
I love that Paris pillow–I have the exact same pattern on ceramic in all of my bathroom accessories (soap dish, trash can, cotton ball holder thingy, and toothbrush cup). I must have it! *yes I have a matchy-matchy problem*
I bought bamboo sheets two years ago from Bed Bath & Beyond and absolutely LOVE THEM! They are sooo soft … I would never buy anything else now!
Nikki, I have a Savvy Rest mattress and also the foundation (which works like a box spring). I like having the natural foundation; it’s made of real wood and cotton. The smell of the wood and the faint cakelike smell of the latex was a nice part of the new bed experience.
I’ve had mine for 6 months and it’s one of the biggest joys in my house, I absolutely love being in bed.
Until I read this I never even knew there was such a thing. I would love to have a mattress like that. Guess I’ll be starting my own mattress fund!
We have a super comfy california king mattress that was free (and new) when my grandmother sold her beach condo. Unfortunately it is a traditional (chem-filled) mattress, but we do have an allergy casing on it. We have had trouble with mattress pads tearing up or shrinking, so I’d love to get a really nice one that doesn’t have flame retardant chems on it. I don’t care as much if it’s organic, but that would be nice. Any tips for figuring out if bedding products or treated or not?
We bought a Savvy Rest last year (firm-firm-medium – we’re big people with really bad backs), and we absolutely love it; it’s one of the best investments we’ve ever made. We also bought new latex pillows and they’re great too – no more pinched neck nerves from crummy, mushed-down pillows!
Glad to know the bed you picked worked for you but does this mean we can get an update on the wonders or lack thereof concerning your salt rock lamp thing?
Here in Italy at the moment everyone is crazy about “Tempur” mattresses (that kind of material that moulds to your body, if you press your hand on it you will see the print/mark staying on it for a while..). I want to change my mattress so I’ve done some research on this Tempur (it costs $$$$$$$), it seems that it is very comfortable at the beginning (first year?) but than the material starts to loose its qualities and becomes uncomfortable. Plus they say in the summer it is a really hot mattress..
So I’m looking for another kind of mattress and the one you chose seems really good and I like the fact that it is natural.. I’ll ask in the shops here.. ;-)
We’ll soon be doing some upgrades in our bedroom-including mattress, and your info on your organic choice is so helpful! Buying a mattress is a BIG purchase, and somewhat confusing. Also, I’d like to put storage on each side of the bed like yours-so clever! But inquiring minds want to know–where do you put normal bedside table stuff?
Hey Elizabeth,
Hmm, that’s a hard one. We have found that searching online for brands who like to keep things chemical free is the easiest way to hunt them down- good ol’ google. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Hey Susan S.
The salt lamp update is this: allergies weren’t nearly as bad this year but I’d also been eating organic and avoiding being outside in peak pollen hours during the season so who knows exactly what I have to thank for the milder experience this year. Either way the salt lamp is totally easy on the eyes, so even if it’s just decorative it was certainly worth the twenty bucks or so for the nice warm glow we enjoy every evening while we unwind and watch TV, etc. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Hey Karen,
That’s certainly an often asked question around these parts. The answer is that the curtained wardrobes that you see on either side of the bed (they’re actually concealed closets!) have a shelf at the perfect height for us to reach behind the curtain and easily grab our bedtime stuff from the comfort of our bed just like a bedside table (contact cases, cell phones which we use for alarm clocks, etc). Plus we love that everything is hidden behind the curtain for a more streamlined and less cluttered look (yet still right on hand). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
As living in Germany where everything is so green and ecofriendly even our politics ;-) I live nature friendly in many ways like car sharing, passive house concept, organic food…but I do sleep not-eco and love (adore!) for years Tempur. I guess I will stick to it for the next 30 years and then i will reconsider to change the brand. I even take on my trips tempur pillow and my husband too.
“it seems that it is very comfortable at the beginning (first year?) but than the material starts to loose its qualities and becomes uncomfortable. Plus they say in the summer it is a really hot mattress..”
I made only good experience with it. You even get 10 year guarantee.
” The answer is that the curtained wardrobes that you see on either side of the bed (they’re actually concealed closets!) ”
What what an idea! :-)
After a lot of online research, we liked everything we were reading about the Savvy Rest, especially that we could each get the firmness we preferred (since we were moving in together and neither of us liked the other’s mattress). Fortunately a local shop here in Chicago carries the Savvy Rest, and they were patient enough to have us come back twice and switch layers around again and again (and said some customers have even come to take a mid-day nap to really test it out!). We’ve had ours for about 7 months now and couldn’t be happier. I love a firm bed and he needs something supportive but a little softer, so we went with the regular latex, queen size, and after much deliberation chose (from bottom-up) my side: Firm Firm Medium and his: Firm Medium Medium (so there’s a full-width Medium on the top layer and the lower layers are split). We have also had no problems with slippage between layers (that case is nice and snug) and you cannot feel any seam between the two sides. It was not a cheap bed, but totally worth it! Glad you’re enjoying yours too!
Hello! Ok, you’ve probably answered this before, so I apologize in advance if this is frequently answered, but where did you get your duvet from? I know I’ve seen it somewhere, and I’m racking my brain, but can’t remember. I love it!
Hey Rachel,
It’s from West Elm although we don’t think it’s being sold anymore (maybe try ebay?). We actually have a room by room source list on the House Tour page so you can find our where we got almost everything in our house (just click that tab under the header and follow the link). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Hey Natalie,
It is new! Check out the last little note at the end of the post to see where we snagged it (on the cheap no less!). Happy shopping…
xo,
s
Ooh – McStudly (the husband) and I just bought a new mattress pad for our bed, from BB&B, and we LOVE it!! I also scored a new bedset from Homegoods and it’s totally transformed the bed (adn the entire room, for that matter) into an oh-so-comfy dreamland getaway. Oh what a difference a little extra padding can make!!
Okay let’s talk about sheets – do you know much about sheets? All I know is, the higher the thread count, the better. And I hear things like “Egyptian Cotton” but I have no idea what any of this stuff means! I want a new set of sheets but nice ones are kind of an investment. Any pointers?
Hmm, good question Liz! We’ve actually heard that sometimes thread count can be deceiving since companies boats high counts but when scientists magnify the sheets they clearly see that the thread count numbers were totally fudged! Since our bodies can’t detect thread count but can feel whether something’s crunchy and rough or smooth and lovely we just rely on feeling sheets and snatching up the smooth and lovely varieties. We’ve been enjoying organic sheets for the last year or so (from Target! they weren’t even that much but they’re so soft and fabulous) so we highly recommend checking those out. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
I just bought a new queen-sized mattress a couple weeks ago, and I have a big, fluffy, white down comforter on it. After sleeping on an old twin bed for so long, I feel like I’m sleeping in a luxurious hotel! :)
I’m looking for new sleeping pillows that are eco-friendly and comfy. Have you found something you like? Thanks for sharing all your research and tips with us. And what a beautiful home – so modern and organized. Love it and the blog.
Hey Kathy,
We’ve seen some nice organic pillows at Bed Bath & Beyond and also know that the site that sold our mattress (check out the link in the post above) has some as well (we bought two for our new bed from them). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
We just ordered some samples of this so we can order one. We were thinking firm-medium-soft but if yours is mms and still fairly firm we might end up rethinking our idea. We will still put our own pillow top on top of it so we’re really not sure. :\ Will have to wait until our samples come in the mail! :)
I have mattress envy! We recently switched to organic pillows because I have terrible allergies. They have provided some relief but I suspect our hand-me-down mattress is also contributing to the daily sneezes. I also love your bed frame and wondered where you bought it. I’ve been looking for something similar for awhile.