“People are putting high value on performance and lifestyle-improvement materials,” says Specialty Sleep Association president Dale Read. “The key word is innovation.” One of the hottest trends to emerge in recent years is natural and green bedding. Consumers’ growing fondness for eco-friendly and sustainable products has translated into mattresses made from soy, bamboo, wool, 100 percent cotton and even sea algae. Even high-tech memory foam mattresses, which have grown in popularity over the past 15 years, are part of the mix. Unlike traditional mattresses, which are made with petroleum-based polyester, polyurethane and chemical flame retardants, green mattresses are chemical-free. Essentia’s memory foam mattresses (queen-size starting at $2,165), for example, are crafted from 100 percent natural, allergy-free latex rubber, essential oils and plant extracts. – from Post Gaz