Sustainable Design Innovators: Naturalmat and the art of natural sleep

What goes into the products we bring into our homes matters. From the paint on our walls to the materials in our furniture and mattresses, choosing carefully made products can help us create interiors that are both beautiful and considered.

For our Sustainable Design Innovators series, we spoke to Mark Tremlett, founder of Naturalmat, the Devon-based company known for its handmade mattresses and bedding made using natural materials.

Founded in 1999, Naturalmat set out to challenge conventional mattress manufacturing, exploring how natural fibres, traditional craftsmanship and thoughtful design could offer an alternative to synthetic materials.

The story behind Naturalmat

Naturalmat began with a simple ambition: to make comfortable, beautifully crafted mattresses using natural materials.

At a time when synthetic foams and other man-made materials were widely used throughout the mattress industry, founder Mark Tremlett began experimenting with natural fibres and alternative methods of construction.

The company’s early beginnings were decidedly hands-on.

Asked to share something surprising about Naturalmat, Mark recalled:

“I made all the early mattresses on my old table tennis table in a draughty part of the old boatyard.”

From those first experiments, Naturalmat developed into a specialist manufacturer of mattresses, beds and bedding, with an emphasis on material selection, comfort and craftsmanship.

Natural materials and considered manufacturing

Naturalmat’s approach begins with the materials used to make its products.

The company has long championed natural fibres as an alternative to conventional synthetic mattress fillings, considering how materials are sourced, processed and incorporated into the finished product.

Its manufacturing philosophy also places importance on durability and the lifespan of the products it creates.

For Naturalmat, sustainability is not simply about choosing individual materials. It involves considering the wider process, from sourcing and production to how products are used and eventually disposed of.

This approach reflects a growing interest in understanding what everyday household products are made from and how they are manufactured.

Handmade in Devon

Naturalmat’s mattresses are made by hand in Topsham, Devon, on the banks of the River Exe.

Skilled craftspeople are involved throughout the manufacturing process, from preparing the materials to assembling and finishing each mattress.

It’s an approach rooted in the belief that attention to detail and skilled workmanship are essential to creating products designed for long-term use.

For Mark, good design is straightforward:

“Clean, simple, un-fussy and well engineered.”

It’s a philosophy that places as much importance on how something is made and performs as on how it looks.

Recognising sustainable innovation

In 2020, Naturalmat received The Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development, recognising its approach to sustainability within the mattress industry.

The award was a significant moment for the company.

Reflecting on the achievement, Mark told us:

“We really did not expect to get recognised, so it was a very bright moment in very dark times.”

The recognition reflected Naturalmat’s commitment to challenging established manufacturing practices and exploring alternative materials and processes.

In conversation with Naturalmat founder Mark Tremlett

What drives and inspires you?

“The simple lofty desire to make the most comfortable, best looking and sustainable beds and mattresses that money can buy.”

What does good design mean to you?

“Clean, simple, un-fussy and well engineered.”

What has been your proudest moment since founding Naturalmat?

“I suppose winning The Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development last April was a stand out moment. We really did not expect to get recognised, so it was a very bright moment in very dark times.”

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve learnt from building Naturalmat?

“If you know you have a great idea, just keep the faith and work hard and it will all come good in the end.”

Do you have a favourite Edward Bulmer Natural Paint colour?

“Jonquil, it’s now staying in our spare bedroom.”

A fitting choice for a company with such a strong appreciation for natural materials, Jonquil is a gentle yellow that brings a cheerful touch of colour to interiors.

A shared appreciation for natural materials

At Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, we believe that understanding the materials used in our homes is an important part of making informed decorating choices.

Our paints are made using plant-based binders and carefully selected earth and mineral pigments, reflecting our commitment to ingredient transparency and considered paintmaking.

Naturalmat’s emphasis on natural fibres, skilled craftsmanship and thoughtful manufacturing reflects many of the same principles.

We’re delighted to have featured Mark and Naturalmat in our Sustainable Design Innovators series, celebrating businesses that are questioning conventional manufacturing methods and exploring different ways of making the products we use every day.

Discover more about Naturalmat and its approach to mattress-making, or explore why we make natural paint.

You can also discover Jonquil, Mark’s favourite shade from the Edward Bulmer Natural Paint palette.