Beauty Sleep
Local company goes niche with mattresses and sleep accessories that champion organic ingredients and promise a customized fit
Why sell organic mattresses?
My father, who started the business in 1985, was making traditional mattresses but began researching natural fabrics when customers with chemical sensitivities started to ask for mattresses made with natural materials. No one was doing “natural” in North America, so he headed to Europe to find organic cotton and wool. There, he met people making natural mattresses and brought the idea back. He made the leap to all-natural production in the early 2000s.
What does all-natural mean to you?
Everything that goes into each mattress is organic. We buy wool from Argentina, fabrics from Germany, and cotton from Turkey and Egypt. We’re very careful with our sourcing. For example, we visit the rubber plantations of our suppliers in Sri Lanka every year to check that staff are well treated and that the farms are growing their trees organically.
Moving beyond organic, your focus now is on selling custom mattresses. What does this mean?
Each of us is different — we’re physically different, we have different sleep patterns and positions, and we have different-sized partners. Your mattress should reflect that.
How can one mattress be perfect for two people?
Each mattress has three layers. There’s the base layer, which is the main support. It can be divided into two halves, so one side might be medium, the other firm. The middle layer is broken down into three segments on each side — one for the shoulders, one for the hips, and one for the legs. Each of these segments [six in total] might be soft, medium, or firm, according to your needs. The top layer is one piece, uniting the mattress and reducing pressure points. Put the three layers together, and you have a customized mattress for two.
How do you figure out who needs what?
We look at your height, weight, and body type, as well as what position you sleep in.
What if someone’s needs change?
The mattress cover unzips, so you can open it up and change one or two pieces as your needs change. You may need a different level of support if you gain or lose a lot of weight, have back surgery, or during pregnancy.
What accessories do you sell?
We’ve been making custom pillows and comforters for years. The comforters are made of wool, which provides a nice, dry heat. We have different thicknesses for summer, fall, and winter, and you can attach them to create your own perfect thickness.
Your mattresses are at the increasingly famous Fogo Island Inn. How did that happen?
The connection was through Ernst Hupel of 2H Interior Design, who did a lot of the design work at Fogo Island Inn. Innkeeper Zita Cobb wanted everything at the inn to be made on the island. If it couldn’t be made on the island, then it should come from Newfoundland. And if it wasn’t made in Newfoundland, it should be sourced from companies that fit with the ideas of quality, locally made products. Zita told me that one of the most important purchases she made was our beds, which felt so great to hear.
“Each of us is different … your mattress should reflect that”