Christy, marie here.

Totally depends upon the client the budget AND where/what room the pillows are going to:

For more casual comfy spaces, like bedrooms and rec rooms where we watch movies - I want feather down. They are more comfortable and definitely nappable!

For formal living and dining rooms, I want my pillow inserts to be firm and very supportive - not flopsy mopsy. Makes it easier for guests to get in and out of for mingling and socializing.

Brand name I depend upon my soft good specialist to bring me the best in foams, wraps, fillers with as little off-gassing as possible.

Good luck with your project!

Soft feather down pillows are for more relaxed sofas and chairs.

Firm supportive cushions are for more formal - tailored sofas.

I have down inserts on the throw pillows in my living room. Don't like them. They squish up and look misshapen every time someone sits up against them. I plan to replace them with fiberfill.

100% down! (not down with a core of feathers) 100% lasts forever and you can wash it in a washing machine and it's like new. Or just toss them in a dryer and they get fluffy again. It doesn't work with feathered core. Synthetic are good at first, but you'll have to replace them in 3-4 years... they just become a brick. Plus down is just oh so comfy!!!

I do custom fill and custom size. So you can make a 23 inch pillow fill for a 22" pillow, (24 is TOO full) and I reduce the number of shams and increase the size of custom shams on king beds.....making those and their covers 28 high and 40 wide! Only two looks so much nicer with a simple large bolster in front and you can custom that bolster as well! And select a filling of any combination feather /down/ and or fiberfill The best!

http://www.cushionsxpress.com/catalog/Down_and_Feather_Pillows-26-1.html

I like down and I do the same a smaller cover for a larger filler but IMO a good down pillow as mentioned will last virtually forever and the down will not poke through if the filler is made well

Hate down!! ..... they don't keep their shape & the feathers can leak through the fabric. I just returned pillows to Williams Sonoma Home for that reason. Also, had to have my very expensive sectional modified to replace the down filled cushions. It was uncomfortable & looked like an unmade bed every time we sat on it. Guess I'm a little too OCD for all down.

I will add, unless you are allergic, a standard poly fill pillow insert.............unless you are sleeping on it, looks nothing but cheap. Which is why cheap pillows are filled with it. "Down alternative" is generally refers to a bed pillow filling, and very nice for those who can not tolerate down, or simply like a feel of a bit firmer, but still soft pillow. All Down SEATING? No....not unless you never actually sit : )

I think we are talking about toss pillows, not seating cushions.

Reach... I was talking about throw pillows.... see my comment re my Wms. Sonoma throw pillows! However, I feel the same about upholstered pieces also.