Mattress Forum

I think you are making this more complicated than it needs to be.  Women have curves and aren't as heavy as men are, so need more "cush" for comfort.  Your bed has good "bones", or springs, and all you probably need to do is create a topper system that works for her and makes her side softer.  Horsehair has no rebound,or bounce, that is why it feels hard once you get in it and settled.  Foams are all different in their amount of rebound and and sink.  Memory foam has no rebound either, but it does have sink...it sinks in where you are the heaviest, and cradles the body.  Latex has lots of rebound and less sink...so they have many different ILD's.  P/U foam is cheaper and often has a good sink:rebound ratio...but it won't last as long.  Does not mean it isn't worth trying.

A long time ago I bought a Select Comfort mattress...without their pillowtop.  I simply could not sleep on it without a foam topper....so I got a cheapie at Target, their convoluted P/U foam one, and it slept fine.  However, every few months I'd wake up in the middle of the night and the foam had died...I could not sleep on it a moment longer.  I ended up keeping a supply of these $30 toppers in my closet so replaced as needed.  My hubby wasn't amused when I'd wake him up to change it, LOL, but many of you understand no doubt.  A cheapie topper may be all you need. 

I'd no way sell that bed and start the mattress hunting nightmare!!!!!!!!!!  You have the base, now just make the top layer comfy for her and you should be good to go. 

Remember, mattresses are not rocket science...the reason Hastens is a good bed is that they put old fashioned, quality materials into it, and make it the tried-and-true way that mattress companies used to.  It is not that easy to find one like that.

Kait

I also have a Hastens Excelsior (CA king in Medium tension). I've only had it for 2 weeks, but so far I must say I wouldn't give that sucker up if my life depended on it! LOL. My favorite thing about the bed is the all natural construction with no synthetic foams because I wanted to avoid off-gassing and contaminating the environment. I'm sure you know all about this, but the chemicals in mattress foams have been shown to build up in the body and even human breast milk (just mentioned in case u and wifey are planning on reproducing).

I agree with everyone who said to keep the bed and modify it. I love the cool, breathability of the horsehair, so I would still keep that as the top layer. I think it would be a good idea to buy a twin size high quality all natural latex (or as natural as you can get, I think it would be absurd to put a cheap chemical foam one on such a high quality bed) and put it under the topper on her side. I'd get a thick one because the weight of the topper will compress it. But if heat isn't an issue for her, you could just put it on top. The bed might look a little uneven, but once it's all dressed, it shouldn't look too bad.

Don't give up on the bed yet, try to work out some creative solutions. If she doesn't like the latex, maybe try a featherbed (I don't know much about these, I just remember having one on my bed as a child).

GOOD LUCK!

1 Håstens Excelsior King Medium in Silver (tan) check

1Håstens BJX Mattress Topper in Silver check 

2 Håstens Excelsior Bases 

8 (2 Sets) 6" Oak Leg Posts

My husband and I discovered the Håstens Excelsior during our stays at the St. Cecelia in Austin.  We loved the sleep we got on the Håstens and decided that we wanted one for home. With an upcoming move, there will no longer be room for a King mattress. 

Both topper and mattress are in impeccable shape with no stains or rips. I have used a silk and cotton mattress pad always on both the mattress and the pad. As per care instructions, I've rolled and shaken loose the topper with each change of sheets and have walked on the mattress to keep the horsehair from settling. 

I paid $11,000 for the floor model, which was a significant reduction in the original price.  My asking price is $6000 or (best offer) for all of the pieces. Buyer handles shipping and handling. I am located downtown in Seattle in a building with a loading dock and a freight elevator. 

I'm happy to provide pictures and to answer any questions. 

Jenny

206-383-5309