A comfortable bed starts with the perfect base layer. For many, down bedding provides the ultimate sleep experience. While it may be loveable, the dynamics of choosing the right down often go overlooked. 

For Eastern Accents, based in Chicago, down is a specialty. The luxury home textile brand has been a leader in soft bedding for over 30 years. Featuring locally sourced down and handmade craftsmanship, they have an extensive down department right in the heart of the Windy City. We met with Eastern Accents’ team of expert craftspeople to learn more about down and how to find the perfect bedding for every sleeper. 

Throw pillow inserts  

Eastern Accents explains that throw pillow inserts usually come with three common types of pillow fillings: feather, microfiber, or feather-microfiber 50/50 blends. Then, it’s up to you to decide which filling you want to use to create the pillow of your dreams.

Eastern Accents’ pillow inserts are encased in crisp, 100% cambric cotton covers (a dense, plain weave), and have a double-stitched edge for extra durability. The team highlights that the inserts are never vacuumed sealed, so they stay fluffy from the day they are crafted in the Chicago factory until they reach your doorstep. 

Microfiber Fill

Microfiber inserts are the ideal choice for unusually shaped pillows  (round bolsters, cubes, etc.) because they hold their shape and stay upright. Microfiber does not need to be fluffed like feathers, making it a good choice for guest rooms, store displays, rental properties, or vacation homes.

Cloud Faux Down is Eastern Accents’ ultra-fine microfiber, which is engineered to imitate the loft of real down. This high-quality filling keeps pillows full for years to come, and is the perfect option for those with sensitivities to down. 

Feather Fill 

Feather inserts are perfect for achieving the “karate chop” look. As feathers naturally sink and settle over time, you will have to fluff these pillows periodically, but you can also mold the pillow into whatever shape you desire. 

Plume Feather, Eastern Accents’  100% premium small white feathers, makes the heaviest insert, giving the bedding a luxurious look and feel. 

Feather-Microfiber Blend

Feather-Microfiber blend inserts give pillows a perfect blend of loft and crunch–a happy medium between microfiber and feather. 

Eastern Accents’ exclusive Bliss Blend inserts are filled with their signature 50/50 blend of premium small white feathers and ultra-fine microfiber faux down. The team reveals that Bliss Blend inserts are actually a staff favorite. 

Comforter inserts & sleep pillows

Comforters and sleep products often use down, which is softer than full-size feathers, and does not have quills that can poke through the casing. Using higher quality fill than decorative pillows, these products are designed to make sleep as comfortable as possible. 

Eastern Accents’ experts explain that feather quality is measured by fill power, which is a measurement of how fluffy it is. High fill power down is more lightweight and airy, which provides insulation without heaviness. Additionally, higher fill power down will compress to a smaller size, making it easier to store when needed. Eastern Accents balances using high fill power in their sleep products, without adding extra weight. For reference, regular feathers are about 300 fill power, while Eastern Accents’ down products range from 650-850. 

The team constructs their down comforter inserts with a ‘baffle box’ design. This method involves sewing pockets into the comforter to keep the fill from shifting around inside. This ensures that the down stays evenly distributed, so the fill doesn’t bunch up on one side. To solve an age-old problem, all of these comforter inserts have ties on the inside corners to keep them from shifting inside the duvet cover. 

Eastern Accents breaks down several types of down options, each with unique qualities:

100% Cotton-Cased Down

The cotton-cased down insert is 650 fill power, meaning it balances warmth with lightweight loft. Eastern Accents’ popular Celesta Luxe Down sleep pillows and comforter are made up of crisp 100% cambric cotton. Packed inside is their signature domestic pure white duck down that is locally sourced and thoroughly sanitized to ensure premium hypoallergenic quality. These products, reveals the team, are some of their bestsellers. 

Jacquard-Cased Down

The team recommends these inserts for any bed that will get heavy use, such as a child’s room or rental property. Eastern Accents' Rhapsody is cased in a 100% cotton Jacquard (a loom woven fabric) that provides more durability and a smoother finish. It uses the same 650 fill power down and quality down as the cotton, but is encased in this different, enduring fabric.

100% Cotton Sateen-Cased Down 

These inserts offer exceptional softness and cloud-like fluff, designed for maximum comfort… and a little more luxury. Eastern Accents’ Concerto Premier Down sleep pillows and comforter feature 100% cotton sateen covers. Within these silky smooth covers is Eastern Accents highest quality duck down, at 720 fill power. This makes these inserts a little more insulated, without any bulky weight. 

Goose Down

Eastern Accents explains that goose down both insulates better and is more lightweight than duck down. In fact, these inserts are at least 25% lighter than the duck down products. Eastern Accents’ Liberetto Prestige Down is filled at 850 fill power with 100% cotton batiste covers. These products are light and airy, without sacrificing warmth. 

Microfiber Fill 

Microfiber faux down is simultaneously luxurious, water-resistant, and free of down-derived allergens. Microfiber does not settle like real feathers, so these products will hold their shape without needing to be fluffed. Less need for maintenance makes it ideal for a guest room or a vacation home. Loure Faux Down is Eastern Accents' signature down-alternative bedding. The expert team developed this ultra-fine microfiber to best imitate the loft, warmth, and resiliency of natural down. 

Warmth Levels

To get the best night’s sleep, it’s important to choose the right warmth level for your down. Here’s what Eastern Accents’ textile experts recommend: light warmth for warmer climates, medium for all seasons, and the most filled, deluxe option for colder climates. You know best how you sleep, so you may want to adjust based on personal preference. 

Eastern Accents’ down comforters come in these three levels: light, medium, and deluxe, allowing you to choose exactly which temperature is right for you. 

Pillow Firmness

Along with warmth levels, pillow firmness can be individually adjusted to cater to your best sleep style. Firm or medium-firm pillows are best for side sleepers, soft pillows are best for stomach sleepers, and a medium balance is best for back sleepers. 

While these are good guidelines, the team explains that pillow firmness is a very personal preference, so this may vary from person to person. Eastern Accents offers these three different firmness levels–firm, medium, and soft– for your favorite way to sleep. 

The dynamic world of down can seem like a lot to figure out, but these expert Chicago craftspeople are showcasing that it doesn't have to be hard–it’s a matter of preference. Whether it’s in choosing the right insert, warmth, or firmness, these down options can help you get the sleep of your dreams. 

Eastern Accents is a luxury home textiles brand, proudly based in Chicago. Learn more at www.easternaccents.com