Square Room

Saunter into Square Room for the first time and you might think your geometry is a little off, as it's actually rectangular in shape. But most shoppers and art fans get distracted by the shop's unique nature-based art and intriguing interior ideas well before they begin questioning their math skills.

Square Room began as a 15-by-15 foot space (hence the name) in Seward Park, where co-owners Brian McGuffey (a painter) and Leif Holland (a sculptor) shared an art studio. In 2004, the two added more retail, created a backroom studio and opened their current space on Capitol Hill.

The shop features everything from soy candles to eco-friendly laundry soap and life-sized metal dress sculptures to erotic magnets. But one theme remains constant: "Everything in our store is nature- and artisan-based," says McGuffey.

Items are all-natural, chemical-free, made with recycled materials and are highly unique. Take for example the imported Pakistani rock salt lamps mined in the Himalayas. Not only do these eye-catching orange lights give off a mesmerizing glow, but they also emit negative ions that are said to clean the air and cancel out positive ions (set off by computers, televisions and other "bad" electronic devices). Another item of interest is the weather-, rust- and dent-resistant aluminum furniture made by Emeco-the same company with which the U.S. Navy contracted in the 1940s to build virtually indestructible furniture for their ships. Square Room also carries wood plank tables from Urban Hardwoods, a two-man operation that recycles trees which were downed due to hazardous circumstances.

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LORI HINTON

X scores a knockout! Tic-tac-toe "Intersection" table, $1200.

But that's just a taste of Square Room's offerings. The shop also features life-sized tic-tac-toe tables (with giant playing pieces), recycled metal jewelry, crow sculptures and eerie gargoyle-like faces representing the seven deadly sins, juxtaposed with sweet and delicate Atlantic sea fans and whimsical white whirl shell balls.

You simply have to see it for yourself to get a feel for the fresh, adventurous style of this artful oasis. Any way you slice it, Square Room is anything but square.