Birch Room, French Embassy, Ottawa

This is the so-called Birch Room at the French Embassy in Ottawa. I say so-called because officially this is Le Fumoir or the Smoking Room.

The astounding thing about this room is that Eugene Beaudouin had the walls and ceiling covered with white birch bark giving the room an alternate name and creating the effect shown below.

Dining Room, French Embassy, Ottawa

I thought today I would show you another room from the French Embassy in Ottawa.

This is the dining room with its fresco painted walls by Alfred Courmes. The painting was completed between 1937-39 when the embassy was under construction.

Ambassador's Office, French Embassy, Ottawa

When I was in Ottawa earlier this year I was lucky enough to visit the French Embassy.

This is the Ambassador's Office which I visited with a few of closest friends.

The embassy was constructed between 1936 and 1939 and this room is just one of several spectacular rooms in the building.

In the Ambassador's Office, the walls have been decorated by artist Charles Pinson using a technique where he engraved the images on the bare walls and then used Indian Ink to bring out the details.

Each wall tells a different aspect of the story of the New France settlement in Canada from 1534-1760.

The room features this fabulous fireplace with an asymetrical design with the form of a female bust at one end and two circular columns at the other.

The quality of Pinson's engraving can be seen in this wonderful sea monster breathing fire under the mantlepiece.

former Metropolitan Life Building, Ottawa

The former Metropolitan Life Building, now known as the Wellington Building, features a series of mosaics on the ceiling of the foyer. The mosaics show subjects relting to insurance cover, including fire and health, as well as mythological scenes.

The building was constructed between 1924-27 and design by D Everett Wald.

Howard Jewellers, Ottawa

It would appear that Howard Jewellers took over this streamline building as their Ottawa store in 1967. Prior to that I don't know who occupied this prime corner retail location.

The rondelle below the clock on the curved corner of the building carries the dates 1871 - 1949 so I assume it was built in 1949.

The rondelle also bears a shield with the coats of arms of the Canadian provinces and native fauna such as the beaver, fox and geese.