One of the many tricks of the trade often used by home decorators is decorating with large, square European pillows. A euro pillow typically measures 26" x 26" and is covered in a decorative pillow sham. European shams are available in a wide variety of fabrics, patterns, colors and finishes. The insert itself can be comprised of a variety of organic and synthetic materials.
The pillows used to fill a European pillow sham are often referred to as "stuffers". Stuffers are primarily stuffed with synthetic materials such as polyester, or organic materials such as feathers or goose down. Both synthetic and organic stuffer fillings offer distinct advantages and disadvantages in both price and comfort.
The least expensive filling or batting for a euro pillow sham stuffer is polyester. Polyester is inexpensive to manufacture and offers buyers a durable product that is easy to care for. Polyester is a great choice for anyone who may suffer from allergies, as it causes fewer allergic reactions than down, feathers or a combination of the two. Polyester stuffers are available in several grades, the first being a continuous solid filament that tends to offer a nice initial shape, but eventually breaks apart, losing its shape. The second, higher grade of polyester is called hollowfill. Hollowfill is also a continuous filament fiber, but unlike the first choice, it features a hollow core, which results in the pillow achieving a higher loft.
The most luxurious euro pillow sham stuffers are filled with down. It is the term used for the soft undercoating of ducks and geese. Duck down is smaller and more readily available and therefore slightly less expensive than the more pricey goose equivalent. It is rated by "fill power" with a higher number indicating a larger volume of down. It is renowned for its soft plush, due to the fact that unlike a feather, it has no quill shaft. It is a resilient filling and will keep its shape better than a polyester batting.
A nice mid-grade choice for a European pillow sham stuffer is one filled with feathers or a mixture of feathers and down. Duck feathers are commonly used to fill pillows in the United States. The disadvantage to using feathers as a filling is that the feathers feature a hard quill shaft, making the pillow less soft than one filled with down. Some manufacturers use a filling of a mixture of down and feathers, offering the same amount of comfort but at a lower price point.
European shams filled with the stuffer of choice make a wonderful accent to any home decor. With a variety of stuffers to match any budget, this decorator's trick is one that can easily be adapted to fit any lifestyle and decorating sensibility.
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