Where are the colorful throw pillows on the bed from?

I sleep on a Natura and love it. I can't recall the exact model, it's not 100% organic, but is 100% latex. We also have an organic wool/cotton topper which gives a pillow top feel, and we added firming pads between the mattress and topper. It's great because if we ever want it to be firmer, or my husband would like his side less or more firm than me, we can easily adjust each half of the bed to suite the individual. My only complaint is that the topper doesn't fit the mattress exactly and can slide a little bit and sometimes hangs a bit over the edge of the mattress, but in the big picture it's no big deal. Oh, and the natural wool topper needs occassional attention (airing/beating), or else it can form hills and valleys where our bodies lie.

I don't get what's so green about a "green tea & aloe fragrance mister" -- wouldn't the greenest option be to not buy a product to spritz the air with?

I also don't really get why the marketing of these various mattresses needs to be part of the review (for example, the mention that this one lacks "big brand marketing"). I'm sure that sort of thing is of interest to marketing people, but to people who are not in that business and are just looking at mattresses . . . speaking for myself I couldn't care less. Is it really going to be much of a factor in you guys choosing a favorite? If yes, how come?

I have to disagree with the sentiment posted by anonniemuss. I do agree that I dislike the "mister" addition, though. To explain why I think that the marketing is important, I will definately use that aspect as part of my purchasing decisions. We are at the end of our current mattress's lifespan. When I choose my next one, comfort will be primary, but after that, price is critical. In addition, if the mattress and manufaturer uses green technology, that will definately pull me in that direction. better for my health, better for the planet, better for the new paradigm of manufacturing. Lastly, if the company an American owned company, employing American workers for good wages and benefits, supporting American communities, you better believe I'll support them over a large conglomerate that has it's manufacturing overseas!

Do you have to flip this mattress? Looking at the description on the website, it's not clear. I'm assuming that the mattress has springs....

i'm with you, redqueen! i actually have a very nice bed but am looking for mattresses (i want two twin xl) for what passes as the guest room. i have it in my head that i want latex, even though i've never slept on latex & i've certainly not been marketed to by traditional methods, which is part of the appeal. if they weren't so darned expensive, i'd order one of these right now, sight unseen. sigh.

redqueen, you listed a bunch of substantive choices to make about mattresses. I agree those choices are important and I wouldn't put them under the umbrella of "marketing." I mean, those are the sort of things marketing might make claims about. For example, whether or not a mattress is manufactured in the U.S. If it is, great, and that is a substantive choice to think about. But as to whether the company runs a "big" marketing campaign to say so, I don't see that as being interesting in and of its own right. I do think the review above makes the same distinction, and that is what I am questioning.

I bought an organic cotton mattress. I hated it. It was expensive and hard as a rock. So then I got an organic latex topper on top. I'ts wonderful. If I could have done it over, I would have went with a latex mattress.

krpete, those look a lot like Judy Ross pillows to me.

http://pillowsandthrows.com/designer-pillows-judy-ross.html

The marketing does matter. Because if it weren't for this article I would not have ever heard of this mattress.

There are so many mattress types out there (as this article has detailed) and we have seen so many ads for the memory foams beds that I start to wonder if a good part of their price tag is their never ending commercials.

We have had a Greensleep mattress, which is also organic natural latex and very similar, for several years now and really love it. We give our bed to my parents when they come visit and they think it's great too. We are thinking though about getting an all wool mattress for our guest bed that we are just setting up. It's also totally organic and a bit cheaper. Are you going to be trying one of the Shepherd's Dream all wool mattresses? I think they are based in California but not sure.
Thanks for the series. It's really great!

I bought that exact mattress (Natura Tranquil, but queen size and no boxspring) this fall. I've had it for three months and love it. Side sleeping, back sleeping and belly sleeping all with great support but not too much 'firmness'. I was hesitant about the 20 year guarantees, since the company hasn't been around that long, who knows how long the mattresses will really last. But I was determined to buy as green as I could afford. Oh, and I bought it in Canada. Similar price points here.

I have not tried the Natura Tranquil, but I do have a latex matress with an organic bamboo top and I have to say that it is the worst bed I have ever slept on. What I didn't know then but definitely know know that latex in numbered from the softest to to the firmest which I believe is at 50. We purchased a bed that was numbered at 42. It was like sleeping on a slab of concrete. I ordered a pillow top with a less firm latex and still it is just horrible. My back hurts everyday and I feel unrested. My point here is please educate yourself on Latex Mattresses. Yes they are great for allergies as they are hypoallergenic, organic, etc... But I would give up all of that for one good night sleep. Our bed in total cost us over $3000. It was a very expensive mistake.

I am happy to see a more eco-friendly mattress being tried out. We bought a natural mattress this summer after returning a very smelly off-gassing (and very expensive) petroleum based mattress.

*Redqueen: We wanted to go with a U.S. made mattress as well and ended up getting a WJ Southard mattress made just over an hour away (in Syracuse, NY).

It cost $1500 for the mattress. (the previous set was twice this) We didn't need a foundation as we have a platform bed.

We are very happy with our purchase. I could go softer, but my husband thinks it's perfect. There is a wonderful organic wool and cotton topper that the company makes that I would love to add though....

According to the website, the green tea spray is not just scented, it's an enzyme cleaner for certain stains.

After deciding on a 100% natural latex mattress a few years ago, my husband and I were in total sticker shock. We ended up ordering 3 of the 3" latex mattress toppers for a fraction of the cost here: http://www.foambymail.com/LatexTopper.html

Only difference is that they don't come with a fancy cover, but you can figure that out on your own. Otherwise, it is exactly the same as a natural mattress that can cost upwards of $3000! Plus, free shipping :)

I am wondering if people who are allergic to latex would reat to these beds? Might be something to think about in a guest bedroom. Lots of us medical people are allergic to latex. Or maybe it is somehow contained?

Very people are alergic to natural latex. It is the synthetic (oil based) that is the issue.

God....I love our latex bed (from Habitat Furnishings with a mix of talaly and dunlop latex made by Latex Green).

I recently purchased a Natura Harmony and it's incredibly comfortable plus has radically improved my back and knee issues. The only problem is it does seem to sleep hot, but I'm pretty sensitive to that. My prior mattress didn't sleep hot, and it was a non green thing like a Simmons Beautyrest with a pillowtop. I researched the "sleeping hot" issue online and many others complain that their latex mattresses sleep hot. I think I may have an allergy to latex gloves but with the mattress it's a nonissue because it's enclosed and not near your skin. In winter, I think this bed has definitely improved my sleep.

This has become really interesting to me to watch.

3 years ago I decided to buy a "big girl" bed. You know the adult kind you spend more than $250 on... I got the Westin heavenly bed equivalent. Despite what I read my pillow top has sunk and the bed has gotten WAY TOO SOFT for me. I can sleep anywhere but my back is telling me that this mattress is no good for me!

Financially I want to wait to get a new mattress (another 8-9 months) but I also want to get the right one. So the year in the bed is really a boon to watch and hear about.

In the meantime though, does anyone have any suggestions (beyond a wood plank) for a way to firm up a mattress? All the toppers I find are to soften... sigh

We have been dabating whether to down-size to a Double from a Queen for over a year but cannot pull the trigger. It feels like a gamble.
How have you and your wife felt about the Double size? Are you over 6'? Do your feet hang off the bottom sometimes? Do you miss the length or the width more? Sorry for the nosy questions and thank your for this HUGE public/consumer service!!

6 mos ago, I got a Vera Wang Talalay all latex (no springs) bed. Big thumbs-up on the latex! It is firm, comfy, supportive and not overly warm. I like that it isn't as freakishly squishy as memory foam but still conforms slightly to your body. Judge me if you will--but it was a floor model at a local furniture store--and I got the Queen set through a friend/connection for a mere $300. Kind of too good to pass up. I had zero expectations--but I have to say that it has been PURE MAGIC so far. Unclear on its 'green' pedigree...I do what I can along those lines--but I wouldn't be shocked to learn there is some scandalous envio-tragedy surrounding it.

Very dissatisfied- update to my previous comment 8 months later. The Natura Harmony mattress I purchased broke down within 4 months. It was excellent prior to breaking down, but now I'm dealing with trying to exchange it when I'd rather get my money back. Latex mattresses do break down and get a big dent in the middle for some other reviewers as well (I notice after the fact). It took 8 years for my conventional mattress to develop this problem and need replacing- I'm astounded it happened within months for this product. Weight is not an issue in my case.

I bought a king sized Natura tranquility mattress. It was $1600+. After a few weeks I noticed it dipping but thought it would be okay. Now it hurts DH's back. We got it replaced as the dip was "significant" but the new bed, only a week old, is starting to do the same thing. Super bug bummer. I wanted the chemical-free, eco-friendly bed and now find it is causing structural problems for my husband and we can't get a different mattress so after only 10 months we need to buy a new mattress. :( Not acceptable.