If there's one thing that makes Sandy and Larry Mekelburg's three-bedroom condo the ideal home, it's having their grandchild living 10 minutes away. That factor helped them settle the geography of their relocation; after that, the Long Island, N.Y., couple turned to making their Dunwoody unit into the carefree home that matches their retired lifestyle.

"We loved the openness of this plan overlooking the pool," said Sandy Mekelburg. "It's a no-stress, no-fuss way to live."

Louie Favorite / lfavorite@ajc.com (ENLARGE)

Sandy and Larry Mekelburg moved into the Sterling of Dunwoody from Long Island, N.Y. Being 10 minutes away from their grandchild was a big draw in their relocation.

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The relocation to Atlanta also gave the couple a chance to start with new furniture. On a trip to the North Carolina furniture factories, they found good deals on their decor needs.

"I had a few pieces, some end tables, that I kept, but most of these pieces are new," said Sandy Mekelburg.

The front door of the couple's condo opens to an entrance hall, lined with white-painted judge's paneling that curves into the dining and living areas. Hardwood floors flow across the entire expanse, ending at a triple window with a view of the community pool. In the dining area, Sandy Mekelburg opted for an uncluttered look, adding only a new, six-seat table, a mirror and two stained-glass wall sconces.

"We don't need the big dining room pieces," she said. "I have plenty of storage for the pieces I have in the cabinets. I'd rather have it open."

The brown and beige granite breakfast bar has three opaque pendant lights and two high metal pub stools looking into the work area outfitted with stainless steel appliances and light-colored cabinetry with brushed nickel hardware. An architectural column divides the dining from the living area, where a gas fireplace is topped with a flat-screen TV. New sofas in soft shades of green-beige fill in the corners atop a thick area rug of the same hue. A brown leather recliner and footstool and a free-form glass coffee table are also part of the room. In one corner, a granite-topped wet bar is home to an array of family photos. A door opens to a balcony with more watery views.

On one side of the living area is the roomy master, with a wooden sleigh bed, armoire, dresser and night stands. A master bath lined in big beige tiles has a soaking tub, a glassed-in shower and a walk-in closet. On the other side of the floor plan are a guest bath and two bedrooms, one decorated with a wrought iron bed and crib as the guest room; the other was designed as the home office, with a wall of built-in bookcases, shelves and a computer desk. A tan suede sofa opens to sleep extra overnight guests.

A laundry room closet is big enough to hold full-size appliances and the nine-foot ceilings gave the couple a bit of extra headroom to install shelves almost to the top.

"We did downsize to move here, but this is as much space as we need," said Sandy Mekelburg. "We're not crowded. Really, if feels more like a nice hotel than an apartment."