Not too long ago I was perusing a designer boutique and encountered the most exquisite coral silk pillow with the most decadent hand beading — it was so couture, and so was the price tag — a whopping $4,000.00. I gasped! I thought, what warrants this price and why on earth would anyone pay this much for a "pillow".Well, come to find out that this pillow was fabricated out of a one-of-a-kind, rare textile that was centuries old, and the entire pillow was meticulously hand sewn and filled with the best goose down money could buy. I was intrigued by this pillow and wanted to learn more, so I visited the renowned pillow designer and unloaded a myriad of questions as she took me through the process of her craft:

S: Why don't you use a machine to sew the pillows?

A: I do use a machine to make the basic shell, but I sew everything twice to make sure it's secure and each stitch has a back up behind it.

S: Why do you hand stitch everything?

A: I hand stitch the ropes as they sit perfectly on the pillow when they are applied by hand. It's also a much better finish and it allows me the ability to apply decorative knots, loops, and bows in the corners. I sew the rope twice for good measure.

S: Can you explain the significance of goose down vs. duck down?

A: I have all my fillers custom made by a pillow factory to fit each cover. If you look on any pillow insert, the contents will be listed, but be warned it can be deceiving for the consumer. People mistake duck down for REAL down. All of my inserts are 100% sterilized goose down; it's the finest on the market. My pillow maker is consistent in his filling, and the ticking cover he uses is the highest quality. If you use an inferior ticking you will get feathers and quills poking through — goose down has no quills. It's the quills on the feather that will slowly deteriorate and cause dust and allergies. Also never vacuum your pillows, as this will cause the quills to come through. This applies to upholstered furniture too.

From the design, to the fabric, to the trim, to the stitching, to the down inserts, to every finite detail, she satisfied every question and obstacle I presented. I witnessed such pride and scrupulous attention to the layout of the design, matching patterns and repeats, hand stitching, hours of labor and patience, and the extreme care taken to create an absolutely perfect pillow. My fingers were cramping just listening to her — it was astounding. And, I finally got it!

During our conversation she mentioned that she had visited a client's home and recognized a pillow she made at least 15 years ago. When she spotted the pillow she thought "I can't believe it, that pillow still looks brand new. I'm going to put myself out of business." The point is, her workmanship is heirloom quality and obviously capable of withstanding years of wear and tear — but even more important, her pillows aren't just ornamental; they're made to be tousled and enjoyed.

This artisan is in a league of her own, and when you buy one of her pillows, you get what you pay for — the finest materials; Clarence House velvets, Scalamandre silks, antique textiles, punctilious trims, and of course, the 20 years of experience making her signature pillows. Her conscientious hands, sewing for hours to provide us with a one of a kind pillow of sheer perfection.

We live in a world of over-consumption and mass production, and many of us have lost site of the true artisans of the world, and the worth of their superior quality and craftsmanship.

I find that less is more, meaning I'd rather have less of the finer goods, rather than more of the lesser goods.

I purchased my first "couture" pillow. It's a privilege and an honor to own one of these exquisite gems — it won't be my last.

By Sandra Oster

Sandra Oster has been creating beautiful spaces for over 25 years. Fully versed in all styles of decor, Sandra Oster Interiors is dedicated to helping clients achieve their dream homes by creating spaces that are custom designed to suit their individual tastes. Sandra Oster believes that every project is unique and demands a reflection of each client's style and personality.

A graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, Sandra worked as an Art Editor at Mademoiselle Magazine and then as Art Director for Henry Bendel and Revlon before beginning her successful career as one of the area's most highly-regarded and greatly respected decorators.

Read more of Sandra's writing and see the products she has available at Decorator Tag Sale.com.

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