Hi spacecarrot,
I’m not sure if the price you quoted includes the foundation but I’ll list a few suggestions that may be helpful in any case.
There is a list of manufacturers in the Los Angeles area in post #2 here which may be worth talking to on the phone to see how close they could come to the layering of the PLB Nature.
Another possibility would be to order the latex layers separately along with a similar cover which could also be very close. For example if you ordered all the layers from Sleep Like a Bear the same layering would be …
2" Celsion … $ 430
2" 28 ILD Talatech … $ 383
6" 36 ILD Talatech … $ 975
3" 14 ILD topper with cover … $ 710
Bamboo unquilted mattress cover $ 171
Total … $2669
Note the cover here is not the same and there are other good quality covers available that may be more.
As far as I know these are the correct ILD’s for the Nature (and I’m assuming you are considering the Talatech topper rather than the Active Fusion topper which would be slightly more) but you may want to phone Pure Latex bliss first just to make sure because they have recently been providing the ILD’s of their layers to consumers.
This is also an example from only one supplier which is often more costly than some others and many of these layers (or very similar) may be available for less at some of the other suppliers listed in post #4 here.
The queen PLB topper is also available here for example for $469 (reducing the cost by $241).
A search online at places such as this (and others) may also turn up some lower prices for the mattress itself than the local option you are looking at (which they may match if they are higher).
One caution I would advise is that this mattress/topper system would have quite a thick and soft upper layer (2" of 21 ILD and 3" of 14 ILD) which in many cases may be risky for your alignment (especially for your husband’s weight) and 14 ILD latex won’t be as durable as firmer versions of the same material … especially with heavier weights as well. There are several examples of forum members and others who have purchased the Beautiful without a topper (which has a firmer 3" of 19 and 3" of 24 ILD layers than the combination you are considering) because it was so comfortable in a showroom but then realized when they slept on it that it didn’t provide the support/alignment they needed because the comfort layers were too thick and soft for their body type and sleeping styles so I would make sure that you tested this specifically to make sure that the support and your spinal alignment was suitable for you before you pulled the trigger.
Some of the manufacturers in post #21 here may also be able to make you a mattress with similar layering but they will tend not to use the 14 ILD latex and you may need to order the topper separately if you want latex this soft as part of your sleeping system. A 3" 19 ILD topper of the same material would be available for a fair bit less (see here for example) and would be soft enough for most people although it’s firmer than the ultra soft 14 ILD PLB version.
There are some good quality foundation options if you need one in the foundation thread here.
So hopefully this will give you some ideas that may not in every case be an exact copy but may be quite close and could possibly save you a substantial amount but of course only you can decide if the extra research and putting together your own DIY version of the Nature is worth it to you.
Phoenix