Because your office vibe matters, and because we’re all about shopping / eating / drinking / supporting local, we’ve pulled together some of our favourite desk-side essentials, guaranteed to elevate any workspace – and all sourced right here at home.

A desk-sized mini plant or terrarium pot from Banff Mountaintop Flowers

Whatever size your workspace, make way for some calming greenery. It’s said that plants can do wonders for your work productivity, helping to reduce stress, improve concentration and enhance general wellbeing. And talk about an instant uplift to a desk, office shelf or side table. What’s not to love, especially when shopping Banff Mountaintop Flowers’ in-store stash of plants in {very pretty} pots?

Desk postcards from Paper Den

Say a big hello from Banff with Paper Den’s cute collection of #locallove postcards. Designed by @crowfootmedia + @nak.creative, these paper beauties are guaranteed to brighten your desk - and the days of who you mail them to.

An office wall photography print from Paul Zizka Photography

Nothing says Canadian Rockies quite like a signature landscape print from Paul Zizka Photography. Known the world over for his creative captures of light set against dramatic peaks, glaciers and below the water’s surface – both close to home and in far flung destinations – Paul’s work is part wonder, all genius. So, if you’re looking for that showstopper, conversation-starter type piece to honour the wonders of the mountains in your workspace, a print from Zizka’s limited edition collection is just the thing. We have a framed black and white shot of Banff’s mighty Rundle Mtn. from Paul’s portfolio in the studio – and just love it.

Our Paul Zizka print of Mt. Rundle in the studio

A reviving CEDAR + SAGE essential oil for your diffuser

Fill that office air with some uplifting essential oil goodness, with CEDAR + SAGE’s soothing oil blends. Just add a few drops into your office diffuser and feel any negativity or tension melt away. Perfect to recharge after a morning of calls and email overload, our favourite is the ‘Reset’; with its combination of elemi, coriander, frankincense, lavender, and neroli, this fresh, citrusy yet slightly spicy blend is perfect for mental clarity – leaving you to zone in on that work task and get ‘er done.

Notes of inspiration for colleagues from Sideshow Gallery

For all those times you need to tell a co-worker congrats on a job well done, keep your chin up, or just that they’re awesome, the cute and quirky selection of notecards from Sideshow Gallery have you covered. Because handwritten notes shouldn’t die, and because who doesn’t love to hear they’re killing it?

An uplifting soy wax candle (that looks as gorgeous as it smells) from CAMP FOUR

To celebrate that work win, unwind at the end of a gruelling day, or just because, light up one of CAMP FOUR’S scented – or crystal-topped – 100% soy wax candles. With a chic, minimalistic, monochrome label design, these little glasses of essential oil joy will blend right into any style of office space. Hand poured in Banff, these candles have the mountains where they’re made written all over them, literally. Try the ‘Sleeping Buffalo’, with lavender, ylang ylang and sandlewood. Find them at: Banff Yoga Practice, Cabin 108, The Pulse {Malcolm Hotel}, Stonewaters, and the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.

A stunning coffee table book, by photographer Brendan Brown

For those breaks between meetings and calls - and guaranteed to catch the eyes of all your office guests - ‘Space and Time’ by local wildlife photographer Brandon T. Brown is a timeless addition to your office library shelf or coffee table. A stunning collection of Brown’s intimately-shot images of majestic wildlife in the field, combined with his personal notes of capturing them, is a true gem to marvel over. Get your copy of this hardcover keepsake at Brandon T. Brown’s galleries in Banff {Bear St., just steps away from our studio}, or Canmore Main St.

Locally-roasted coffee beans from Eclipse Coffee

Because what’s an office day without copious amounts of delicious, espresso-flavoured caffeine? We love to fill our coffee pot with Eclipse Coffee Roasters’ ‘Vintage Blend’, with chocolate and caramel notes. And as these beans are freshly roasted in Canmore and responsibly sourced to support global coffee communities, we can savour the sip while feeling good about where our cup of pick-me-up comes from.

A one-of-a-kind ceramic mug by Of Cabbages and Kings

…and for that locally-roasted coffee, how about a 100% locally-made ceramic mug by a father-and-daughter team of potters? Working from their studio in Canmore, John and Katie Borrowman keep things traditional – and with John’s 45-year career in clay – are the ones to go to if you’re looking for high-quality, handmade ceramics. Choose your unique desk mug from one of the studio’s current lines, knowing you’ve got something completely one-off.

A nourishing natural hand cream by Rocky Mountain Soap

Talk about a desk-side essential. This Omega 3 healing wonder from Rocky Mountain Soap Co. will keep those hardworking hands in tip-top condition. The perfect size for on-the-go moisturising, keep it in your work purse or always-at-arms-reach of your desk. Our favourite is the vanilla mint fragrance, made with local flax seed oil, organic shea butter, and beeswax to protect and seal in moisture. Those dry Albertan paws will thank you.

An oh-so-stylish, carry-all work tote from Project A

For running between work appointments and to keep that commute cute, Project A’s collection of beautiful leather totes will hide all those meeting must-haves effortlessly – and keep you feeling stylish from 9-5. And as Project A is all about carrying high-quality, handmade products from emerging Canadian artists and designers, you can feel good that your workbag is made to last.

A Gin and Tonic gift pack from PARK Distillery

For when the grind is done, for celebrating that client win, or for those end-of-day socials, PARK Distillery has you covered. If like us, you appreciate a well-stocked bar cart, then add one of their cocktail club packs to your in-office liquor collection. These kits take the sweat out of DIY cocktail-making, having you saying ‘cheers’ in no time. We love the Gin & Tonic version, which comes complete with copper mug, copper jigger, 200ml bottle of PARK Alpine Dry Gin and two bottles of Fentiman’s Tonic Water.

OUR PICKS FOR LOCALLY-SOURCED OFFICE ESSENTIALS // Rocky Mountain Must-Haves to Brighten Your Workday

{Work Day} Jody Robbins, Travel + Lifestyle Writer

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