63 Comments

1. Pauline

   Posted February 2, 2012 at 9:25 PM

   You advised us to try the artisan naturals for a 4ft bed for my sister but you didnt advise as to the type of mattress, soft or medium. My sister is 5ft 5 in tall and weighs eleven and a half stone so would a medium mattress be ok. do you deliver to London. I am afraid we are on the top floor of a Victorian House!

   Hi Pauline. Final details of the correct choice of mattress is completed by phone. Initally we would suggest a soft tension spring for this bodyweight – this particular mattress is well filled and so the overall tension would be medium. We would need to know your sister’s preference and tailor the mattress to that. If you mail me your telephone number we will call you back. Alternatively, please give us a call and we can take it from there.

   We do indeed deliver to London (No charge) via our couriers, and this will be to a room of choice. Access with a four foot mattress has not yet proved problematic. Hope this helps. John and Ryan.

2. Layne Kalloch

   Posted February 1, 2012 at 5:17 AM

   Where can I buy on old fashioned spring base bed, like they had in the 1960s?

   Hi Layne. Good question. When Ryan and I were doing our own deliveries we used to come across these bedframes more often than you would think. We used to ooh and aaah at the construction methods and enviable quality compared to todays offerings, much to the bewilderment of our customer.

   My dads old fashioned sprung frame was still in use till the day he passed away. Completely and utterly worn out after us three kids used it as a trampoline but there was no way he was going to change it.

   In answer to your question I don’t know. Regular popping into Ebay might throw up a little gem but I would be prepared to accept that the springs may well be past their usefulness. They will of course require a good oiling (they were horrendously, and at times, embarrassingly squeaky). There are some amazing headboards and footboards on these kind of frames and even if the springs are trashed they can be altered to provide a surround (Lit Bateau stylee ) or having solid slats added. Please let us know how you get on and good luck. John and Ryan.

3. Adrian

   Posted January 31, 2012 at 3:26 PM

   Hi,

   I’m considering an Artisan Natural mattress with soft springs for my daughter who weighs around 55kg.
   My question is what is the matching divan base like? How is it constructed? The cost is only around half that of a sprung edge base from John Lewis and perhaps a third of that of a Vi Spring base, so I’m wondering exactly what’s provided for that money.
   Thanks in advance

   Hi Adrian. The bases we have made for our Artisan models are based on the Harrison’s True Edge base. Obviously they are not identicle because that would be copying… and we don’t do that However, they are sprung edged as standard with 1000 pocket springs (KS) they are completely upholstered sides and surface. Our prices, as you so rightly point out are low in comparison but does that mean Harrisons, Vi Spring et al could be overpriced? Hope this helps. John and Ryan.

4. fmax

   Posted January 22, 2012 at 3:46 PM

   hi.
   thanks for that. do you think buying a memory foam topper would be the solution. also, would a 3cm topper work or would i have to go for a 3inch one? i’ve read some of the comments left by others and some have mentioned putting a mdf board or something similar in between the slats and mattress. would this be ideal for this mattress and bed as well to prevent the really springy edges that make you think you’ll roll off the bed?

   Hi Fmax. Even though we do not like Memory Foam it does seem to be an acceptable solution for your problem. After all, it is only for the spare room. As for depth, a good couple of inches should give you an adequate comfort layer.

   As there is no substantial weight in your mattress it may be that the sprung slats could do with bedding down with some MDF – remember to allow for ventilation. Try the topper first and see how it goes. John and Ryan.

5. fmax

   Posted January 21, 2012 at 6:05 PM

   hi,
   we recently moved house and purchased a sprung mattress for the spare room. problem is we didn’t know how uncomfortable it was until my mum came to stay and complained she couldn’t sleep all night and her body ached for the next few days! the mattress and bed was bought from wilkinsons as a bundle offer. the mattress is a ‘bella deluxe’ and the bed is the ‘prado’ faux leather double bed with sprung wooden slats. the bed is quite bouncy and it feels like you might fall off the edge if you turn over! is there any way to make the bed more comfortable and not feel like you sleeping on a bag of spanners?! any help would be appreciated. thanks.

   Hi Fmax. Bag of spanners! I like it. Obviously you know this was the cheapest of the cheap mattresses. All you are practically sleeping on is the [cage] spring unit with a minimal amount of wadding. What you have to do now is add you own wadding iin the form of a topper. The most economical version is a duvet from Tesco etc for £12 or so and put this under your bottom sheet. This may retain heat though, but that is better than being so uncomfortable it can’t be used. Mattress toppers are available everywhere. Just set a budget and like mattresses get the best your money can get. Hope this helps. John and Ryan.

6. wendy

   Posted January 20, 2012 at 11:35 AM

   Hi

   I was going to email you but you’ve not listed your email address??! (Clicking on the all enquiries link only takes you to Microsoft Outlook – which I don’t use and I don’t want to set up and install for one email!)

   I need a mattress please. I’m after a king size pocket sprung for less than £500. It’s for a spare bedroom in a holiday cottage where it would only be used a handful of times a year.

   As much as your site/advice seems to be exemplary, I have 2 concerns. One, I’ve looked at the Which report and the brand you use, Origins, doesn’t get a mention? Two, you talk about needing deeper sheets to accommodate the depth of your matresses and I’m wondering – are these readily available?

   Sorry, can I also just make one small critisism please. Your spelling ‘draw’ is incorrect, it should be drawer. It features quite a lot on your site so I figure you’d want to get it right?!

   Thanks in advance – wendy

   Hi Wendy. Good point. By the end of today I will list all our individual emails on the contact page.

   Re the branding: All our mattresses come under the “John Ryan by Design” brand label. Origins / Sequence / Artisan are references to the models. All of our mattresses are built to our exacting specifications and manufactured by a number of manufacturers who have experience to produce our models to our standards.

   As for the Which? reports. There are probably another hundred or so manufacturers who do not get a mention. For all the good work Which? carries out it would be vitually imposible to list and compare all the brands / manufacturers side by side. There are currently in excess of 4000 or so different mattress models out there from all manufacturers, added to this there are hundreds more of same composition under differing model names.

   As we always say, legislation should be brought into force to list components [the way food ingredients are] included in all mattresses to allow the customer to make direct, informed and precise comparisons. Our website and work ethic is exactly what it is you see. All our products are detailed to the extreme and the reasonings of whys and wherefores behind each component are given throughout the site. Each post is always open for discussion and we encourage our readers to dig even deeper by questioning what we say or adding another justified viewpoint.

   You have to understand that we are not normal or run of the mill mattress retailers. As well as being our business it is also our hobby. There is nothing on this site that has not gone through rigourous thought and trial. As an example, we took the decision long ago not to provide any memory foam mattresses. This is a huge market and we are missing out on potential huge sums of money, but we would not be happy in providing such because we know it is not a product we ourselves would have due to the downsides far outweighing the benefits. This is also true with regards to bedframes, headboards , bedding etc. Until we are absolutely happy with every item we provide, we will not add them to our site.

   Spelling and grammar? I try my best but coupled with time restraints, becomes secondary to product info. Our new updated site launched in a few weeks time will have all this rectified.

   Our Origins Reflex is absolutely perfect for B&B / Lets. Very well priced and a substantial build to boot. Bedding is readily available. Until we get our own line of bedding manufactured we look to Dunelm Mill as a good well priced supply. We have also heard good things about The Linen Cupboard (Yorkshire) http://www.linencupboard.co.uk as a company who knows what they are doing.

   We appreciate your comments and we fully understand your concerns of us being unknowns in the grand scheme of things. Our aim is to be the very best but it is a very slow road. John and Ryan.

7. shirley

   Posted January 18, 2012 at 6:16 PM

   Hiya
   I want to buy a new superkingsize bed. My husband is tall and weighs around 17st, the bed we have at the moment has a pocket sprung mattress but we find that we still roll into the middle a lot. I also have back pain which I think would be helped by a firmer mattress. I am interested in the latex mattresses. I have seen ones in the sale at Dreams and they range in price from £2k plus – I dont want to scrimp on a decent mattress, but can these ones really be worth the money? If so why, and if not what are your alternatives?
   Many thanks,

   Hi Shirley, Please look at our Sequence 2000 /Sequence Latex 2000 – absolutely perfect for a bodyweight of 17st and you really do not have to spend anywhere near the prices you have seen. the downside is – is, will it be suitable for you? Vastly differing bodyweights is a tricky combination to get right. Please call us and we can take it from there without second guessing your requirements here. John and Ryan.

8. Shrey

   Posted January 18, 2012 at 9:03 AM

   Hi, I called the office on Sunday and left details of my enquiry but still waiting for a response.

   Looking for a new mattress and almost bought a Feather & Black Owen tension 8, on Sunday but wanted to do a little more research first and then came across your site.

   Would now like to discuss the artisans natural and also the bespoke mattress you offer.

   I am 12.5 st and wife is 8.5
   I seem to be most comfortable on a firmer matress hence the F&B number 8 tension.

   The mattress from F&B is on offer for a few days more only so would appreciate a call ASAP if possible to discuss my needs.

   Thanks. Shrey.

   Hi Shrey. So sorry. This has been one of the worst weeks ever to respond to al the queries we receive. Ryan is away on holiday and I am recuperating after an operation. I will phone you back later today.

   In short, this is a Harrisons mattress, so comparisons should be made to models in their own core range and also models of a similar (if not same) build as those offered by John Lewis. Will detail more when I speak to you. John.

9. SP

   Posted January 16, 2012 at 10:53 AM

   Hi John and Ryan,

   I have been sleeping on a foam mattress approx 15cm in depth.
   From day one this mattress was too firm for me but I managed to get through the last 8 years with a topper.

   Anyway I am at a stage that I buy another mattress (for my sprung slat bed base)and throw my now lumpy foam mattress out, but I find it very difficult to part with £1000s of pound for a mattress, hence finding your site.

   I did go into Dreams bed store and try a few out and the one which felt comfortable, the one instore that felt good was a PENZANCE Mattress and the Zen Revitalise mattress.

   I am 70kg in weight and 5’ 6” in height, the mattress I would like would be a medium firmness mattress one which feels comfy to sink in a bit. I would like a Hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant and am interested in if latex will provide a comfy sleep. Please advise your product suggestions in your range.

   Hi SP. The Penzance from dreams is just a memory foam on pocket spring mattress and at £679 for the double I would say our Origins Latex 1500 (Ideal for your bodyweight) would be a more than fair comparison. Likewise and even moreso for the Zen Revitalise. John and Ryan.

10. Alison Alderman

    Posted January 15, 2012 at 1:25 PM

    Hi
    We have a memory foam bed on a divan base. The mattress is the most comfortable we’ve ever had, but, when we turn it the underside of the mattress and the top of the base is damp / mouldy. the whole lot has been replaced twice, but the same thing keeps happening. We have even had someone out to check the moisture in the walls of the room – not a problem. Would a slatted base solve the problem as the moisture would be able to dissipate? If so, what sort would be best? If not, have you got any other solutions?
    Many thanks

    Hi Alison. There was a similar comment to yours recently made here. I personally cannot think of any reason other than excess humidity in the room that would / could be the culprit. Obviously you have had this checked and found that this is not the reason which leaves us stumped.

    I am assuming that your mattress is Memory Foam on Reflex Foam support rather than Memory Foam on a pocket spring support. A slatted base would be able to allow the air to circulate a lot more but prior to your comments I would have said that there should be no reason for such a change. It has to be understood that thousands upon thousands of these mattresses are sold and used on Divan Bases without such complaint leaving us to scratch our head as to what the cause is.

    Sorry we can’t be much help here but we would love to know how this progresses. Please keep in touch. John and Ryan.

11. Tahlecion

    Posted January 13, 2012 at 12:46 PM

    Hi,
    I need a new double mattress – I don’t like the heat produced by memory foam/latex – any helpful suggestions?
    I have a fairly tight budget (£350.00ish), weight 10 stone. Really helpful site – thank you
    regards, Tahlecion.

    Hi Tahlecion. Please consider our Origins Comfort 1000. . Your bodyweight at 10st will not be using the support at all. and so it is the primary comfort layers that should take precedence. Please use this model as a means of comparison to all others in a similar price range. John and Ryan.

12. Paul Verbeek

    Posted January 12, 2012 at 8:46 PM

    Hi guys,
    I love your site and have read through most of it already. We are in great need of a new mattress as we have waited too long with a replacement.

    I am very interested in the Artisan Naturals – SKS Ziplink. I have do have some questions related to the right tention of the individual mattresses to choose. Is this mattress comparable to say a VI-Spring Baronet Supreme?

    My wife is around is around 172 cm and weighs roughly 60 kg, where I am 192 cm and around 85 kg. We both enjoy a mattresses that are a bit firm. What would be your suggestion in terms of spring tention for each of us?
    Thanks very much,
    Paul

    Hi Paul. Such a simple question, but the answer is far from being so.
    First of all please understand that only the springs used by Vi-Spring are manufactured by Vi-Spring and no one else. But, does that mean they are the best available? We don’t think so and this is our reasoning:

    Ryan and I hold Savoir Beds as a leading British manufacturer both in terms of Quality and Detailing. Savoir uses a calico encased pocket sprung unit as a support as do Vi-Spring – as do we.

    Vi-Spring Baronet Supreme is not in their current core range, however basing our comparisons from previous literature they use a 1326 spring count (KS) 1.53mm wire. I’m quite sure this can be tailored to a lower gauge (softer) if required.

    We use three wire gauges; 1.30 (Soft) 1.42 (Med) 1.60 (Firm). These are the gauges used by Savoir. Incidentally, another little difference between Vi-Spring and Savoir (and us) is that Vi-Spring utilise a 6 turn spring whereas Savoir (and us) use a 5 turn.

    The difference in gauge between Vi-Spring 1.53 and our 1.60 is overall negligible – Perhaps the extra turn on Vi-Spring’s Spring would make it ‘softer’ in comparison, but we have found that our medium (1.42) spring has a similar overall tension.

    Your wifes weight at 60k (less than 10 st) would indicate that a soft (1.30) would be an ideal tension and for your bodyweight of 85k (13st +) a medium (1.42) would be ideal. If your wife prefers a firmer overall tension then a complete medium spring tension is the way to go. You also have to bear in mind that it is also the fillings and upholstery that has a bearing on the overall comfort. In the Vi-Spring Baronet Supreme they utilise(d) a combination of bonded and blended fleece wool and cotton (plus hair pad as insulator). Overall this is a very soft combination providing comfort but very little aditional support.

    I hope this helps you with your decision Paul. Please feel free to call us direct or add to to your comments. John and Ryan.

13. Julie E

    Posted January 1, 2012 at 6:05 PM

    Hi
    We need to replace our king size mattress and I want to ensure the new one is as good or better than our current one as it has really helped with my back problems. Our mattress is: Sprung Slumber Prima 2000 & states: 2000 hand nested pocket springs enhanced by 2 rows of traditional hand side stitching, upholstered with luxury mixed white fibres & Reflex foam. Can you recommend a mattress and give me a price guide please?

    By the way I have never come across such a well informed, helpful and honest site as yours… Well Done!
    Julie

    Hi Julie. We cant seem to find any details on the model you mention above. Sprung Slumber is a brand from Relyon / Steinhoff and this seems to be a model made for a particular store. The fillings of Mixed white fibre and reflex foam indicates it is not a mid – top of range model although the 2 rows of hand side stitching points to a well finished mattress. Our Origins Reflex is based on White Fibre and Reflex but does not have the hand side stitching and it is based on a 1000 spring unit. However, this will give you a start for comparison. Hope this helps. John and Ryan,