Hi Alecia.

Thanks for the kind comments.

The first thing your question goes a long way to enforce is the actual difference between a well made quality natural fibre mattress and one that has been mass produced.

There really is no similarity.Ryan and I bang on at length that the minimum standard for springs for example should be pocket springs and not those awful cage springs or continuous coils springs that are sold as 'beneficial' in many mattresses.

Unless you have actually tried the two - side by side - you will never know how different they actually are.

The difference in comfort and quality is just as apparent as the difference you have experienced between a beautiful well made mattress and the ones you have probably been subjected to in your rental properties.

However, this does not mean that you have to pay over the odds for this level of comfort.

The compromises you may have to make to bring the price down for an equivalent model should not necessarily be too many.

Take the hand side stitching on the Handmade Bed Company 3000 model for example.

That particular model has 4 rows - an expensive detail that if it were reduced to two rows would be quite sufficient for the job they perform but save you a considerable sum.

I would assume the springs used are calico encased and not mass produced units, and therefore would be in the same league as our Artisan Naturals model so the level of quality on this further aspect would be in keeping.

The use of 3000 in the HMBC (I am not particularly sure of the arrangement of their springs - 2 layers?

can also be cut to a lower level without compromise (ours use 1360) and by way of acceptance that this is a satisfactory count, the bulk of all Vi-Spring models use less than 2000 pocket springs.

Your body weights will dictate whether this is acceptable.

Moving up from there, the important parts of the mattress and the parts that you found so comfortable is the quality of the wadding and upholstery.

Comparing natural fibres to man made fibre is like chalk and cheese and therefore getting the best comfort layers to fit your budget is essential.

HMBC, I note have used Pashmina as a layer (or blend) an expensive component but I would ask if the quantity used was of a considerable weight (gsm) to make a noticeable difference to the overall comfort level of the mattress when Lambswool at a greater weight would do just as good a job.

This is too big a question to outline all the differences here, but it can be done and I am sure that Ryan and I can help you put together the mattress of your dreams without too much compromise.

As an example of what we do.

Our Artisan Naturals is the best mattress we have built able to be retailed at around the £800 mark.

	John Ryan By Design Artisan Naturals	Vi Spring Regal Superb
1	1200gsm Blended British Fleece Wool and Cotton.	900gsm Blended real Shetland Isle Fleece Wool and Cotton
2	Hairproof Cambric Cover	Hairproof Cambric Cover
3	1250gsm Rebound Poly Cotton	1200gsm long stranded Horsetail blended with British Fleece Wool
4	1500gsm 100% Pure Mohair	1000gsm Bonded British Fleece Wool and Cotton
5	1600 Calico encased Pocket Springs [ 49mm ] [1.28mm ]	1720 Calico encased Pocket Springs [48mm ] [1.28mm ]
Total GSM	3950gsm	3100gsm

This low price does not detract from the actual quality of build and components.

We have listed precisely how it has been made in order for you to do your own research and comparisons.

However, the problem you will find is that many other manufacturers are not as open as we are, and therefore you will have to phone them direct to see what exactly is in their mattress.

Feel free to call us direct on the number at the top of the page.

This should not be a rushed purchase so the more homework and groundwork you do before you move will pay dividends at a later date.

Many thanks.

John and Ryan.