The wall of windows in Lori Shearer's living room frames a view of greens and blues: the greens, from the trees and shrubbery, the blues from the water of her community's swimming pool. It was that bucolic view of nature and water that drew her to the three-story townhouse in the M West complex on the city's west side.

"The view makes all the difference in the world," said Shearer, an online marketing exec who rented another unit in the complex before becoming a buyer in December. "It inspired me to paint the walls around the windows in a deep green that goes well with the view."

Rich Addicks / raddicks@ajc.com (ENLARGE)

The picturesque view of the swimming pool is what sold Lori Shearer on her townhouse at M West on Atlanta's west side.

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That view is visible from the entire first floor, topped with a soaring 18-foot ceiling.

Close to the windows is the living area, furnished with a soft beige sofa, red chair, black bookcase and flat-screen TV atop a black entertainment cabinet. Just beyond the sitting area is the dining space, lit by an opaque globe light. The dining table, atop a black area rug, has an opaque, plastic top supported by metal legs and surrounded by four white chairs.

At the far end of the room, a set of French doors let in light from the backyard. Brown and cream granite counters and stainless steel appliances line one wall; a wood-topped island with stainless steel legs anchors the center of the space. A chocolate brown wall adds a rich hue to the work area, illuminated by track lighting. The entire level has darkly stained oak floors.

Instead of framed artwork, Shearer looked for creative ways to fill up the vast amount of wall space. One wall in the dining area holds a collection of plates painted with the faces of Russian nesting dolls; the tall stretches of wall beside the window are highlighted with a set of interlinking metal cutouts. Over the TV, she framed a rich green brocade fabric to create her own artwork.

Shearer drew on her love of travel to decorate the lower level den. Above the white futon, she hung maps of her favorite destinations from a thin wire that stretches across the wall. A collection of white, blue and yellow paper globes provide the lighting. Gauzy drapes divide the space from the adjacent two-car tandem garage. A door opens to a courtyard with a small patio and lawn.

The top floor is taken up with the master bedroom, brightened by two oversized windows. Pale wood night stands topped with stainless steel lamps on either side of the bed. Along one wall is a white dresser; another corner is filled with a white computer desk. Beyond the laundry room and closet is a vaulted bathroom with a wet room — a fully tiled area for the soaking tub and rain shower.

"I love the bathroom — it's almost like having a spa," Shearer said with a laugh.

Having a tri-level unit was another feature she loved, Shearer said.

"I only have one bedroom, but with three levels, it feels like I have a lot of space," she said. "It's a great place for one person. And I never get bored being just on one story."

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