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Dream Apart. "Our goal is to try to get rid of that stigma around it..." sleep to create Castaway Bed, a motorized split-king bed which allows partners to physically separate their sleeping quarters. "How has no one come up with this?" Veronica questions, pointing out that the term "sleep divorce" has b een trending for the last two years. Separate bedrooms can offer relief, but they can also feel like an unwanted compromise. Rather than asking couples to choose between a good night's sleep and sleeping beside the person they love, Castaway Bed is designed to let them have both. Initially trying to utilize two separate twin XL mattresses and frames, they quickly realized that didn't fix the issue before arriving at the design that ensures a great night's sleep. ey wanted something that would still function and feel like one cohesive king-sized bed when the sleepers wanted to be together. In its closed position, Castaway looks and functions like a king-sized bed. Underneath, however, are two independent Twin XL sleeping platforms. When the bed is opened, the two sides slowly glide apart, creating up to 31 inches of separation and revealing a concealed center platform with its own mattress. e mechanism is a breeze to maneuver, with a push-to-operate switch located discreetly behind each nightstand. e bed moves only while the button is being held. Release it, and the movement stops. ere is no app, remote, timer, or automation involved; the goal is controlled, intentional movement and peace of mind. Importantly, Veronica and Michael don't see Castaway Bed as a product exclusively for couples. Instead, they see it as a way of giving people more flexibility over one of the most personal spaces in the home. e center space created when the bed opens also makes Castaway useful for families. Parents who have children climbing into bed in the middle of the night can have another sleeping space available without completely rearranging the bedroom. Families navigating co-sleeping or changing sleeping arrangements can have more flexibility as those needs evolve. Pets can become part of the equation, too. Anyone whose dog or cat has claimed the middle of the bed knows that nighttime sleeping arrangements don't always go according to plan. Castaway's center platform creates another option for the family members, human or otherwise, who inevitably end up in bed. ere are also households where sleeping arrangements are influenced by religious or cultural practices. For those families, VUENJ.COM 81

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