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Friends of mine got a Dux several years ago. It never felt that outrageous to me, but they said you really had to sleep on it every night to appreciate it.

Also, The Dux stores have small "nap rooms" that you can reserve so that you can actually test out the mattresses before you buy one!

My parents have it and are 100% not satisfied with any OTHER mattress since. They both had back problems and this bed has been a tremendous help to them. They have had it for 14 years now and it still feels brand new.

I bought the Duxiana about seven or eight years ago
in Los Angeles. It wasn't bad, but it was not any better
than a premium 'pillow top' mattress that you can get
for half the money. As I recall, the Dux was about $3,000 at that time. I don't use it anymore, preferring
a foam mattress on a platform bed.

Hastens....now THAT'S a mattress. Another Swedish one and really amazing. See Mads (that's his name) at ABC Carpet.

I sell Hastens, Carpe Diem Beds of Sweden, and Tempurpedic and I am very familiar with Dux. I'd be happy to answer any questions anyone might have even if they are not purchasing anything from one of my stores.

Feel free to email, but put the word "mattress" in the subject so that I don't think it's junk mail.

Jeff Klein
Sleep etc., President
Norwalk, CT
(203) 846-2233
jklein8@optonline.net

We recently purchased a Carpe Diem mattress from your store and are waiting for the delivery.

Since it has the legs and headboard, how do I decorate the bed?

Here's some Duxiana research based on actual owners that may be handy.

http://www.sleeplikethedead.com/mattress-reviews-duxiana.html

For the record, although I was the first Hastens dealer in the United States, I am phasing out of the brand after nine years.

I had made a comment on another blog and several people have asked me why, so I'll explain.

Hastens beds are wonderful, they are among the best in the world. I am not dropping the line due to any Hastens problems. It's purely business.

For the past few years, I have been selling Carpe Diem Beds of Sweden along side of Hastens. Carpe Diem beds use many of the same components as Hastens, even from the same vendors, but they have a few advantages that most of my customers have preferred.

The bottom line is that I am running a business and I have to give the people what they want. When comparing the two brands side by side, the majority of my customers have been preferring and buying Carpe Diem, so it was a natural choice to phase out Hastens.

Although I have never had any major problems with Hastens beds over the nine years that I have been dealing with them, there are a lot of maintenance issues that are a turn off to a lot of customers. Carpe Diem beds substitute a plush layer of Natural Latex instead of the Horse Hair that is found in Hastens, so the beds don't settle, they don't get firmer with use and they don't require the constant flipping that Hastens mandates.

The two brands are more similar than they are different. Carpe Diem was actually founded by a chiropractor in Sweden who purchased a Hastens and realized that he could make some changes to the bed that would make it even more conforming to the shape of the spine. He used many of the same ingredients including components from the same vendors. Both brands use a similar pocket spring system that is made by the same company. Both brands use a similar hard wood base with tongue and groove construction. Both use cotton and wool and both are hand made by artisans.

The primary difference is the use of a natural latex layer instead of a horse hair layer. This makes Carpe Diem impervious to the horse hair issues. No settling, even more breathable, longer comfort life, better edge support, better pressure relief, more conforming to the spine, etc. etc. But most people choose them because they feel incredible. They are truly amazing beds to sleep on.

Carpe has even been rated higher than Hastens in Sweden (number one for the past five years in a row) by the Swedish Furniture Industry Survey.

Of the hundreds of Carpe Diem beds that I have sold, we have only come across one bed that had not been manufactured properly. They have a zero percent return rate which is unheard of in this industry.

I am still a fan of Hastens and I still have some inventory in case anyone is looking for a deal, but going forward, I'm Mr. Carpe Diem. I have even inked a deal with Carpe Diem to be involved in their US distribution and several US stores are in the works. The beds are now available at my CT showrooms as well as two shops in CA.

I guess I am still Mr. Hastens too. So if anyone needs unbiased advice, feel free to email.

Thanks,

Jeff

Jeff Klein
President
Sleep etc. and Svenska Beds
Norwalk, CT

What bed do you recommend for use on a platform? I am ready to splurge on a new mattress; old one is at least 30 years old!! Ick!!

JoanneBE,

A lot of today's mattresses are recommended for use on platform beds. In the past, some mattresses would wear better on platforms than others, but most of today's mattresses are built to wear properly on platforms.

As for support and comfort on platforms. I think that you need a mattress that will conform better than the average mattress to compensate for the platform not having any give. The benefit of selecting a really conforming mattress is so that it will allow your hips and shoulders to sink in and it will fill the void at your lower back. This will keep your spine in a more natural posture than a bed that is too stiff.

I like natural latex mattresses, memory foam is also very conforming, but it has an unusual feel and some claim that the foam is not healthy to sleep on.

Natural latex is extremely conforming, supportive, comfortable, healthy, breathable, durable, etc. Natural latex matts will cost a bit more than traditional innerspring and synthetic latex, but it's worth it.

If you have it in your budget, I would look at Dux and Carpe Diem Beds as well. They will provide superior support to natural latex beds. Carpe Diem goes the farthest to eliminate pressure points and provide fantastic comfort and support, but they are not for every budget ranging in price from 5k to 15k.

The bottom line is comfort. Test several beds and select the one that is keeping your spine in the healthiest, most natural posture and of course, you have to love the feel.

Good luck.

Jeff

Jeff--Thanks so much. Don't live so far from your shops; will visit soon.

Joanne