THE MODERN MINT BLOG
Kapok Pillow
Kapok Pillow – Please note we no longer stock this item.
Visit Our Shop For Keen Gardeners Here
The Kapok Pillow at Modern Mint
Our pillows are made from natural kapok. Kapok fibre is cotton-like and is known as silk cotton, or Java cotton. You will find the kapok tree in rainforests in Asia, but is a native of Central America. It is important to know this, as the harvesting of the fibre – labour-intensive as it is – becomes vital for local economies and provides work for communities in countries where it is needed. No only that, but because the trees have a purpose – e.g. money can be made from them – it means the trees don’t get cut down. So you are saving rainforests by buying these great pillows!
Kapok fibre is lightweight, like 15% the weight of cotton. (That would be the organic cotton you are using already right?) It was used in life jackets at one point, before they started using synthetic materials to make them, because the fibre is so buoyant.
This lightness makes it the softest of our pillows. Lots of masseurs buy them from us. Think of it as a luxury item, for when you need a moment… or three… or even if you have your own masseuse who wants to get you comfortable….?
It is also flammable. So please don’t smoke in bed.
Washing the Pillow
The cover can be machine washed at 40 degrees celsius. Kapok, being a plant fibre, means you do not need to remove it from the case before sticking it in the washing machine. Do make sure the filling is thoroughly dried after washing it though – don’t rush back to wanting to use it when it is still wet!
A Few More Details…
The case can be unzipped if you want to adjust the height of the filling.
Size of the pillow: 50 x 75cm – if you want that in inches, just copy those figures and plug them into Google to find out…
The weight of the filling is approximately 700g. A lot of filling, because it is so light!
If the Kapok Pillow is Not For You…
Don’t think we can’t accommodate you or your needs. Modern Mint can also supply you with an organic spelt pillow, or even an organic buckwheat one… they are cheaper options, so may be better value to you – but the Kapok pillow is so light, it really is fabulous for a treat…
We no longer stock these pillows – please visit our shop for tools for keen gardeners!
Topiary, The Art Garden at The Henderson
The Art Garden at The Henderson in Hong-Kong has now opened to the public. I joined the project last March, to work with Gillespies Landscape Architects on the topiary that had been designed for the Art Garden, which gives a calm, green space below the extraordinary Henderson skyscraper designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. The garden has been designed with butterflies in mind, so lots of nectar plants, and has other art projects and installations within its footprint. The history of the site is interesting too – it was originally the first cricket ground in Hong-Kong! So still a green space….! …
ClipFest 2025
On Sunday June 22nd there will be Clipfest 2025 at Ichi-Coo Park in Surrey. It is a celebration of all things pruning and topiary, and I will be there in my capacity of teacher at the European Boxwood and Topiary Society to demonstrate tool cleaning and sharpening, and how to clip. Tickets can be found here on Eventbrite. We are hoping for great weather and to see lots of keen pruners getting their shears out and joining us at this amazing garden! And for more on topiary…
Secateur Holders
A present arrived from Norway today, from a student who visited last February to work with Chris Poole and I on learning topiary. His new hobby – a beautiful and neatly stitched secateur holder. Thrilled with this! The holder will save me keep losing my secatuers too…! Thank you Bernt! It was the same student who introduced me to the APA with whom I am doing a talk at the end of March. Tickets can be bought here for ‘Defining The Essence – Aesthetic Pruning in the Garden’. Do join the European Boxwood and Topiary Society for that!