Hi I am 6 feet 4 18 stone - my partner is somewhat smaller! She is 5 foot 6 and only 9 stone. She suffers from intermittent sciatica and I suffer from intermittent lower back pain. We have tried a <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/understanding-beds/memory-foam-2/" title="memory foam">memory foam</a> mattress - she loves it I find it way too soft. We have a very firm <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/product-category/mattresses/" title="mattress" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">mattress</a> - this works for me and not for her.What would you suggest we go for - expense is not an issue - comfort is what we want. We need a king <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/understanding-beds/mattress-sizes/" title="size">size</a> bed

Hi Richard,With the weight differential, I would suggest that you look at a split tension mattress, firm for you and medium for your partner.[table id=7 /]The split tension mattresses are only available in our <a href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/product-category/mattresses/pocket-sprung-natural-fibre/">Artisan range</a>, which contains natural fibres in the upholstery layers. Please view this range on our site and call our office to obtain more specific advice as to suitability.If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to contact the office on 0161 437 4419Kind regards Mike.

Hi guys, Well, my wife and I absolutely love our Artisan Bespoke!We've had it for around 5 months now and couldn't be more pleased with it, so thanks a million for all your advise and assistance. I need your to pick your brains again however. Only this time it's slightly off piste. As I think I mentioned, my wife was pregnant when we were looking for our <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/product-category/mattresses/" title="mattress" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">mattress</a>. Well, now we have a wonderful and healthy 3 week old son!!Sooo... I was wondering what you guys would advise re. cot bed mattresses. It appears to be as much of a minefield as adult mattresses. I appreciate this is slightly off topic, but just thought I'd ask on the off chance. Do you offer mattresses suitable for cots?If not, then maybe this is an area with looking at. I know you'd don't he best job out there and I know I'm not the only person to be looking for one... :-) Janes .

Hi James.Thanks for the feedback. This comment has recently been updated as we have launched our own <a href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/product/natural-cot-mattress/">Natural Cot Mattress model</a> after much research and development.We have a number of articles, one on <a href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/understanding-beds/cot-and-baby-mattresses-explained/">Cot Mattresses explained</a> and also one on <a href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/understanding-beds/cot-mattress-safety/">Cot Mattress safety</a> which should help with the background to cot mattresses. What you're looking for in a cot mattress is a firm support for the baby, as it's got limited mobility so a softer cot mattress could cause its head to sink too far causing discomfort. The second issue is breathability. A breathable nature fibre cot <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/product-category/mattresses/" title="mattress" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">mattress</a> is far better than a synthetic foam mattress. Obviously your budget will dictate which is most suitable, but where possible natural fibres such as <a href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/understanding-beds/natural-plant-fibres-in-mattresses/">Coir</a>, <a href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/understanding-beds/wool-as-a-mattress-upholstery-fibre/">Lambs Wool</a> and Latex are best.<img src="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Cot-mattress-John-Ryan-By-Design-5.jpg" alt="" />Please have a look here at our <a href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/product/natural-cot-mattress/">100% Natural Cot Mattress</a>.John and Ryan.2012/12/28 at 20:02 Sorry about all the typos…my clumsy fingers aren’t great with ‘smart’ phones : ) After a couple of hours of research the following look like contenders : - Naturalmat – Mohair Mat The Little Green Sheep – Organic Cot Bed Mattress Abaca Organic – Abaca Cot Mattress These are all around the £160-£170 mark I also found this (much) cheaper alternative. Got pocket springs instead of all the coconut stuff, as well as (I suspect a tiny amount of…) lambs wool. Outlast Deluxe Wool Pocket Sprung Cot Bed Mattress – £60 A lot of foam in that one though. Are pocket springs a complete waste of time with new borns to 3 year olds? Is coir the way to go for cot mattresses? Also, I see a lot of latex offerings, but am worried that it would cause junior to overheat. Any advice would be very gratefully received!! James Hi again James.Hi again James. I think our comments and responses have crossed. In this case i do have a thought about the springs/" title="pocket spring">pocket spring</a> and Coir dilemma. I think Coir is the best option for you like <a href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/product/natural-cot-mattress/">our cot mattress here</a>. There is no weight on the baby to utilise any pocket spring system. Coir is completely natural, most are sprayed with latex to inhibit the rustling sound. Another point I would agree on is that I would not have any foam in a mattress for the baby. Too many stories and anecdotes about off gassing - particularly associated with <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/understanding-beds/memory-foam-2/" title="memory foam">memory foam</a>. Abaca has a very good reputation and I would listen to their advice on your mattress choice. I would be grateful if you could let us know what you end up with and how you get on with it, in order to benefit other readers in a similar position. John and RyanHi John & Ryan, Thanks for your reply. After much deliberation we came to the same conclusion. Ie that coil springs just aren't of much use to a baby, or indeed young child, until they reach a sufficient weight. So that left us with the foam/chemist made and the 'natural' options of coir/natural latex/wool/mohair/horse hair. We went into mothercare and mammas & pappas, as well as looked at sites like kiddicare and very quickly dismissed the former, especially when compared to the latter offerings. Tbh, the choice in the stores wasn't great, but their respective websites have a wider selection. Both Abaca and Naturalmat have shops in London to go check the mattresses out. Yes, the natural mattresses are more expensive. However not by much, especially if you take a bit of time and check prices on the internet. So, after deciding 'natural' was the way to go, we needed to decide what combination of fibres to plum for. Coir is the staple of all of the natural offerings, so its going to be that plus A another fibre. Most commonly Coir + lambs wool, Coir + lambs wool + <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/understanding-beds/latex-as-a-comfort-layer-2/" title="Natural Latex">Natural Latex</a>, and Coir + lambs wool + mohair/horsehair. As you said, the coir is commonly sprayed with latex to stop it rustling, but the combo I mention above is an actual layer of the stuff in addition. All the natural mattresses we saw had an organic cotton casing. After looking at all of these combinations we chose the naturalmat mohair. It was a close run thing between naturalmat and Abaca, both of whom make wonderful handmade mattresses. Little Green Sheep seem a little expensive when compared to the mattresses and the comparable compositions of these other 2 companies imho. I chose the naturalmat mohair as I felt you got a very slightly superior composition of components, for an almost identical price. We bought direct from naturalmat and it cost £165 Inc shipping. It's a fab mattress, very soft and comfy and reassuringly weighty. Very pleased with it, so but most importantly, so is junior! Hope that might be of help to someone :-)Hi again James. Really appreciate the time you took to write this and it most definitely will be of help to other readers. I've not really had cause to look at cot mattresses before and after a quick scan at the mattresses you mention was quite taken aback at the available choices. Thanks again James. John and Ryan.

Hello,Could you please tell me what chemicals you use in the Origins mattresses e.g. flame retardants?Thanks

Hi Poppy,Thanks for your question about chemicals in mattresses. It's a really good one as it's important when buying a new mattress to make sure you can find out as much information as possible. After all, it is only then that you can <a href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/understanding-beds/how-to-choose-a-mattress/">correctly compare different mattress models</a> rather than just guessing which bed to buy.Chemicals in mattresses explained:The term chemicals can be quite misleading, given that the average washing detergent features a plethora of chemicals, same with soap, deodorant etc. That doesn't mean they are all bad or nasties. It depends on whether they are necessary or there's a better alternative. Yes, you can find more natural materials but we think a better term is 'avoiding synthetic materials' rather than 'chemicals' as it's more specific when looking for a new <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/product-category/mattresses/" title="mattress" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">mattress</a>.With all mattresses, there's going to be some chemicals used or present in the manufacture of new beds. Examples would be:<ul><li>Chemical <a href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/understanding-beds/memory-foam-mattresses-guide/">made foams such as memory foam</a></li><li>Cleaning, washing and soaping agents used to clean fibres during processing</li><li>Glues adhesives used in bonding certain layers</li><li><a href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/understanding-beds/all-about-polyester-2/">Polyester or man made layers which are synthetic based</a></li><li><a href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/understanding-beds/fire-retardant-methods-and-compliance/">Fire retardant sprays, applications and impregnations in fabrics</a></li></ul>Some of the above chemicals are a legal requirement such as fire retardants which safeguarded you against house fires and such. Other chemicals are due to the materials you choose such as synthetic foams. Remember that even a washing detergent used in cleaning clothes with contain some chemicals.Fire retardancy in mattresses:All UK mattresses must comply with to comply with British regulations (BS 5852: 1982 Part II & BS 7177) to ensure fire retardancy. Most mattresses use an impregnated synthetic polyester cover, spray an application onto their cover or use FR approved quilted materials which all contain some form of fire retardant chemical.We are delighted to be one of the only mattress retailers that offer a completely Chemical-Free cover in all of our <a href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/shop/">Artisan Mattress, Latex & Legacy Bed ranges. </a>Our custom Damask fabric is finished with a plant-based fire retardancy method that doesn’t involve synthetic chemical sprays or treatments that are often used.<img src="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/bio-made-Fire-retardancy-logo-john-ryan-by-design.jpg" alt="" width="557" height="89" />With the launch of M-Pure, Maes Dyeing and Finishing has successfully created a non-chemical FR treatment by using Biobased ingredients for the compound.Instead of using the traditional chemical-based compounds which are bought from third parties, our Fabric weaver Maes have developed their own and exclusive product for a fully natural finishing application. This enables us to offer its customers a chemical-free mattress ticking/damask that meets the BS 7177 – EN 597/1 – 2 standard.Benefits of <a class="wpil_keyword_link " href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/understanding-beds/natural-plant-fibres-in-mattresses/" title="Plant" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Plant</a>-Based Fire Retardancy<ul><li>The compound made in house by Maes</li><li>Natural bio-based raw materials</li><li>Biodegradable</li><li>Environmentally friendly</li><li>100% sustainable</li><li>Meets EN 597/1 and 2</li><li>Exclusive to John Ryan By Design</li></ul>If you want to avoid synthetic materials/chemicals as much as possible in your new mattress then choosing a <a href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/understanding-beds/all-about-natural-fibres-2/">100% natural fibre hand made mattress</a> is your best bet like our <a href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/shop/">Artisan range of beds</a>. This is because they don't use synthetic foams and can offer plant-based fire retardants instead.Our Origins range feature an FR treated cover which meets all the UK standards. This is in line with their price point and primarily synthetic fibre content. If you want to know what to expect for your budget then have a look below at the price ranges and expectations that are realistic.[table id=91 /]Best Chemical-Free Beds: If you’re wanting a 100% natural fibre calico encased vanadium coated pocket spring mattress then have a look at our <a href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/product/artisan-bespoke-004/">Artisan Bespoke 004 mattress.</a> Completely breathable and high wicking, keeping you cooler in the summer months but also warmer in winter if it get a bit chilly. Also unlike boxed foam mattresses which are all <a href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/understanding-beds/the-no-turn-mattress-scam/">one sided this is a two sided model</a>. So effectively twice the sleep surface and lifespan compared to cheaper memory foam counterparts.It has a medium feel in the natural upholstery with a forgiving top layer. Great for pressure points. The 1600 individual pocket springs allow restless sleepers to move quickly, easily and effortlessly. Often this helps reduce the amount of fidgeting when coupled with the progressive comfort layers of this mattress.<img src="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Artisan15000011-wide-1.jpg" /> <img src="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Artisan-Bespoke-004.png" /> Artisan Bespoke 004 Mattress1: 1200GSM BLENDED BRITISH FLEECE <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/understanding-beds/wool-as-a-mattress-upholstery-fibre/" title="WOOL" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">WOOL</a> AND COTTON 2: HAIRPROOF CAMBRIC COVER 3: 200GSM SOFT BAMBOO 4: 1200GSM PURE HORSETAIL 5: 1000GSM BONDED BRITISH FLEECE WOOL AND COTTON 6: 1600 CALICO ENCASED POCKET SPRINGS [ 49MM ] [1.28MM] TOTAL: 3600GSM DEPTH: 27-30CMCHEMICAL FREE COVERhttps://youtu.be/3-Pno_9qR2MWe hope that helps and gives you further <a title="mattress" href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/understanding-beds/pocket-spring-%3Ca%20class=">mattress</a> buying guidance. If you have any more mattress related questions please get back in touch on <a href="mailto:info@johnryanbydesign.co.uk">info@johnryanbydesign.co.uk</a> or 0161 437 4419.Sleep well John & Ryan

Do you sell a mattress that does not contain any material treated with fire retardant substances (including M-pure)?

Hi Alex, Thanks very much for your comment about mattress fire retardancy. Any mattresses sold in the UK must adhere to the <a href="https://www.firesafe.org.uk/furniture-and-furnishings-fire-safety-regulations-19881989-and-1993/">1988 Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations</a>. Which has significantly helped reduce home fires along with improved fire warning systems. For this reason, all UK furniture and soft furnishings must adhere by law to this.The majority of mattresses use synthetic chemical-based FR or coatings such as sprays.However, we moved to a plant-based FR treatment as seen here on all of our <a href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/understanding-beds/fire-retardant-methods-and-compliance/">Artisan mattress ranges to be as chemical-free as legally possible whilst keeping sleepers safe</a>.<a href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/product-category/mattresses/"><img src="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/artisan-sublime-square.jpg" alt="" /></a>Just to reiterate no mattress retailer can legally sell an FR free mattress here in the UK. You can import mattresses from the USA or elsewhere that doesn't contain FR but at your own risk. Obviously, the ultimate decision lies with you.https://youtu.be/3-Pno_9qR2MWe hope that helps and gives you further <a title="mattress" href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/understanding-beds/pocket-spring-%3Ca%20class=">mattress</a> buying guidance. If you have any more mattress related questions please get back in touch on <a href="mailto:info@johnryanbydesign.co.uk">info@johnryanbydesign.co.uk</a> or 0161 437 4419.Sleep well John & Ryan

Which mattress would be best suited to my 6”4 partner who suffers with back pain and prefers a firm mattress and myself who is 5”5 but likes a medium mattress?

Hi Jade,Many thanks for your question about the best mattress for two different heighted sleepers one of which has back pain. Back pain can be really uncomfortable and lead to nights of disturbed sleep. We hope to give you some advice to help you choose a more suitable <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/product-category/mattresses/" title="mattress" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">mattress</a> to remedy this.Choosing the right mattress for a bad back:The majority of mattress retailers <a href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/understanding-beds/orthopaedic-mattresses-myths-scams-debunked/">push very firm supportive orthopaedic mattresses</a>. Even though chiropractors have long reversed this advice in favour of choosing the best support unit for your bodyweight which is both comfortable and supportive. Ie not using super solid mattresses.<img src="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/back-pain.jpg" alt="" />You need to look for a mattress that has enough support, from a tailored spring tension and also deep comfort layers. With a bad back, you need to sink slightly into the mattress before the support.You need to start by picking a spring tension that suits each of your weights. <a href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/understanding-beds/all-about-zip-and-links-2-2/">Which is why a zip and link or split tension mattress may be best</a>.<a href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/shop/"><img src="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Zip-and-link-mattress-John-Ryan-By-Design.jpg" alt="" /></a>Choosing the right mattress spring support:Mattress support is dictated by your bodyweight. However, most retailers totally confuse this with the 'comfort' or overall feel of the upholstery. Sadly 99% of mattresses are sold as soft, medium or firm based on the pocket spring tension rather than their upholstery. Which means most mattresses are missold if the sales person hasn't asked your weight and taken this into consideration.Pocket springs are made for weight ranges so you need to know which gauge, 1.2, 1.4 or 1.6 is suitable for your body weight.[table id=104 /]https://youtu.be/JDbfPTUX1cwDifferent feel mattress sides for different comfort preferences?Due to the way all quality mattresses are made you can't have two different comfort preferences in the upholstery on each side. This is because the upholstery layers need to be the same height so the bed sits at the same height and also so the layers naturally settle over time at the same rate.This is why hand made 2-sided mattresses need to be turned each month.<img src="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Hand-side-stitching-mattress-31.jpg" alt="" />However, what you can do is always add a topper to the mattress if you wish to soften it slightly. With a zip and link you can fit a single topper to one side to help soften it without increasing the height too much of one side. We don't recommend pushing together two different mattresses as over time they can become uneven and lead to awkward sleep patterns.With a bad back, you really want to avoid a firm feel mattress in the upholstery layers. Opting for a medium-firm feel in the comfort layers instead of firm. It may even be the current firm feel your partner likes that's causing his back pain. Id investigate this further by seeing if adding a duvet underneath your sheets to your existing mattress helps his back pain. This is because sleeping on top of this before your covers will help soften the very top layer of your mattress and may help you both reach a comfort compromise and show that a medium feel mattress is best for your partner with back ache.Have a look at the two mattress options below for an idea of what you should expect depending on your budget.Origins Pocket 1500 Mattress:Jade please take a look at our Origins Pocket 1500 maybe in a zip and link model if you both need a different spring tension. It’s a true medium feel in the upholstery later and comes in a 1.4 medium gauge pocket spring support. Ideal for sleepers up to 16 stone. We can also make it in a 1.6 firmer feel spring if your partner is over 16 stone. It also has a <a title="wool" href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/understanding-beds/wool-as-a-mattress-upholstery-fibre/">wool</a> top layer for better breathability and is two sided.<a href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/product/origins-pocket-1500/"><img src="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Origins-15000016-e1571745892114.jpg" alt="" /></a> <img src="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Origins-Pocket-1500_circle-min.png" alt="" width="800" height="800" /> Origins Pocket 1500 Mattress 1: 300GSM WOOL 2: 750GSM VERY SOFT POLYESTER 3: 500GSM POLYESTER PAD 4: ONE INCH FOAM INSULATOR LAYER 5: 1500 SPUN BOND POCKET SPRINGS TOTAL: 1550GSM DEPTH 30-33CMNext up have a look at our <a href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/product/artisan-bespoke-004/">Artisan Bespoke 004</a> in the spring tension suitable for your bodyweights. It’s a hand made 100% natural fibre mattress that is two sided.It has a medium feel in the natural upholstery with a forgiving top layer. Great for pressure points and bad backs. The 1600 individual pocket springs allow restless sleepers to move quickly, freely and effortlessly.<img src="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Artisan15000011-wide-1.jpg" /> <img src="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Artisan-Bespoke-004.png" /> Artisan Bespoke 004 Mattress 1: 1200GSM BLENDED BRITISH FLEECE WOOL AND COTTON 2: HAIRPROOF CAMBRIC COVER 3: 200GSM SOFT BAMBOO 4: 1200GSM PURE HORSETAIL 5: 1000GSM BONDED BRITISH FLEECE WOOL AND COTTON 6: 1600 CALICO ENCASED POCKET SPRINGS [ 49MM ] [1.28MM] TOTAL: 3600GSM DEPTH: 27-30CM CHEMICAL FREE COVERHow much should I spend on a mattress?:[table id=91 /]https://youtu.be/3-Pno_9qR2MWe hope that helps and gives you further <a title="mattress" href="https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/understanding-beds/pocket-spring-%3Ca%20class=">mattress</a> buying guidance Jade. It may be best to give us a call to discuss further to make sure we're meeting all your requirements.If you have any more mattress related questions please get back in touch on <a href="mailto:info@johnryanbydesign.co.uk">info@johnryanbydesign.co.uk</a> or 0161 437 4419.Sleep well John & Ryan

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