Mattress Forum

Here is what we ordered: 

Latex:  6" 36 ILD core + 2" 32 ILD mid-core + 2" 20 ILD topper (all 100% natural talalay), upgrade to 10" Terry cloth cover, at a cost of $1,216 total with free shipping.

Foundation:  http://www.amazon.com/Thick-Foundation-memory-latex-mattresses/dp/B002RVCSRI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1305859732&sr=8-3  $229 with free shipping.  I added 4 more slats to this to bring the spacing from 3.75" to 2".  Cost at Home Depot was around $10.

Pad/Protector/Topper:  undecided at this point

For background on how we got to this point, see my thread here:  http://www.whatsthebest-mattress.com/forum/advice-needed-my-diy-all-latex-project/19004-A-1.html

So, here are the pics:

We are absolutely loving our new FBM DIY mattress.  As we were putting together the layers, the two 2" layers were not labeled with ILD numbers or descriptors "medium"/"soft."  However, it was very obvious which one was softer.  Laying just on the 3 layers of latex, without even the terry cloth cover, the mattress was very, very soft (but still supportive).  However, there was a bit of a jiggly feel to it that others have mentioned.  I wonder if a firmer Dunlop core would feel as jiggly.  With the terry cloth cover on, the mattress felt slightly firmer and less jiggly.  Overall, I consider the feel of this mattress soft, but it is very supportive - sort of the best of both worlds.

It is amazing how much anything on top changes the feel of the latex.  Since I was unsure of what mattress pad or topper I might want to go with, I first tried this one (http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=110636&RN=559&) I picked it up at Bed, Bath & Beyond with a 20% off coupon just because they have such a liberal return policy.  I liked how this pad gave a slightly more "enveloping"/"sink in" feel to the mattress, but it actually firmed up the mattress a little too much.  Also, after sleeping on a natural feather bed for years, this pad with poly fill felt hot to me.  We took it back to BB&B the next day.  Just for kicks, we did an even exchange for this 2" featherbed topper (http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=126595&RN=560&) which is on order for us.  In the meantime, we have slept 2 nights with just a fleece winter sheet (for some protection of the mattress) under our normal cotten summer sheet.  This feels really nice and we're both sleeping great as is, but I did like the little more enveloping, plush feel the pad gave.  My guess is that we will ultimately take back the 2" featherbed too, but I'd rather try different options from a store that allows returns.  We may love it and be done, but I am thinking we will end up with a thinner topper comprised of either down/feather or wool. My thought here is that anything in the 1/2" to 1" range will give a cush feel but still allow the latex to do the job of supporting us, and the natural fibers will do the job of regulating temperature.  I have scoured the net looking at options in this thickness and am considering the following:  http://www.thedownstore.com/catalog/mattresspads&toppers/downmattresspads&toppers.htm (1/2" pure down pad for $225), http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/57166?pi=950603&subrnd=0&qs=3006448_pmd_amazon (all down pad for $189), or http://www.naturaworld.com/topper-classic (18oz per s.y. wool fill topper for $220 from The DownStore).  If we end up deciding that we want to keep the feel as is, we'll go with the Dormier pad - http://www.flobeds.com/product_details.htm?ID=2140EK ($160).  If anyone has any other recommendations or thoughts on the pad/topper, I would love to hear them.

Overall, we are extremely pleased with our new latex mattress and the experience we had with FBM.  I am glad to answer any questions.

-Cliff