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It is all too common for people to visit a store and
buy a bed with a pretty cover at a low price, then after a few weeks
sleeping on their latest bargain, discover that the mattress is much
too firm or much too soft, that they have a pain in their hip or
their back, that the quality of their sleep means they are tired
each morning; and that what they thought was a good bargain turns
out to reduce their quality of life.
A new bed is an important purchase with potentially life-changing
consequences – we spend one third of our lives in bed, rather more
time than one might spend in one’s car – compare the time we spend
making that selection. A bed says just as much about you as your car
and the quality of the sleep it provides will affect everything you
do every day.
Sound sleep is vital for health and wellbeing, replenishing lost
energy and balancing the mind. When you go to sleep your body goes
to work, absorbing the day’s learning into firm memory and new
skills.
The Facts
When you start to consider a new bed purchase you can expect to be
bamboozled by a myriad of facts – some relevant and some not; making
the right decision is difficult. A few facts may help...
Mattresses
Fillings are very important – on average we lose almost one litre of
moisture each night; natural fillings will wick away this moisture,
the mattress will then air itself during the day via small air vents
in the side of the mattress. Look for highest content of natural
upholstery including cotton, lambs wool and long-stranded
horse/cattle hair.
There are three main
types of mattress:
1. Foam.
This includes
(i) Natural latex
Advantages – follows contours of body, natural breathable material,
no need to turn, can be combined with springs.
Disadvantages – can feel too warm for some individuals.
(ii) Viscose elastic, a heat sensitive synthetic product, which
moulds to the shape of you body.
Advantages – no need to turn.
Disadvantages – does not breathe, can be difficult to turn over
during sleep as body creates hollow; some do not comply with
standard UK fire regulations.
(iii) Other synthetic foams.
Advantages – inexpensive.
Disadvantages – will not breathe therefore less comfortable and
allows bacteria to grow.
2. Open coil springs.
Interconnected springs (approximately 300 in a 150cm size) over
which fillings are laid.
Advantages – inexpensive.
Disadvantages – does not contour to mirror body shape; it will also
transfer any movement from one’s partner. Often used with
non-breathable synthetic fillings.
3. Pocket sprung.
Individual springs placed inside a textile jacket (some in cotton,
most made with synthetic materials) and either tied or glued
together. Fillings laid over springs.
Advantages – independent springs mean little or no transfer of
partner’s movement (look for tied rather than glued spring units).
Comfort – when made traditionally, no need for metal border wire,
creating ultimate in comfort. Large range of sizes available.
Disadvantages – expensive to produce (modern techniques and
synthetic materials have reduced prices, but the best quality can
only be handmade and therefore costs more).
Bases
It is simply not possible to recreate the comfort provided by a
sprung base (divan) with a slat or solid base system. Always look
for a sprung base – for those looking for a different look, it is
possible to put a sprung base inside some bedstead frames, there are
also contemporary styled models available from some bed specialists.
Size is Important
A standard double bed is 135cm (4'6") wide; it is generally
recognised that this does not represent sufficient space for two
people to achieve good quality sleep – a larger sleeping surface
will result in less disturbance from partner movement.
A minimum of 150cm (5') is recommended – consider something larger
if you have the space.
Haute Couteur for beds
Recently described by the Sunday Times as like lying on clouds that
are supported by the soft hands of the angelic host,
Vi-Spring beds are handmade individually to meet each owner’s needs
and preferences – a kind of haute couteur for beds. All are made
using only the highest quality natural materials available including
lambs wool, horse hair, cashmere and silk; these are combined by
skilled craftsmen using time-tested techniques. (Vi-Spring invented
the pocket spring 100 years ago and still use cotton pockets,
hand-tied together in a nested configuration to maximise support and
prevent the migration of fillings over the years.)
Almost any shape can be made, including cut-outs for four-poster
beds, shaped beds for yachts, and they have even made beds in
sections so that they can be taken on holiday!
Discovering comfort in good company
Those in the know have been enjoying the benefits of their handmade
Vi-Spring beds sine 1901. The discerning, royalty and celebrity
owners abound – it’s time someone starting passing on the secret of
the best night’s sleep money can buy.
Something for everyone
Different tastes demand different solutions – not only is there a
range of traditionally-styled beds, but now it is possible to enjoy
the comfort only provided by a sprung base, but with contemporary
styling.
A bed that is made and adjusted to your individual requirements,
with an expected life 50% longer than the industry average, will
cost more than the bargain you thought you had, but a healthy and
healing sleep is worth every penny.
One thing that cannot be guaranteed with a Vi-Spring bed is the
cessation of that irritating phenonenom of re-reading the same page
of your book each night before sleep without making any progress
towards the next chapter.
Sweet dreams.
Vi-SPRING Ltd
Ernesettle Lane
Ernesettle
Plymouth
PL5 2TT
Tel: 01752 366311
Fax: 01752 355108
Website: www.vispring.co.uk ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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