There are some Spirea shrubs that don't mind facing that way. Try Goldflame. It is a very bright yellow with reddish tips to the developing stems. It would brighten up a dull corner. Can be cut right back or just trimmed. Most shrubs will get out of hand if you just let them go and do their thing. Every outlet for plants has them.

As you've asked for a specimen shrub, I'm assuming this is a stand alone, not planted with anything around it, situation? And facing North west where you live presumably means cold winds in the winter, with low winter temperatures? And do you want something large, like a tree, or a medium sized shrub? I was thinking Fatsia japonica, but it won't like being out on its own with northerly winds in the winter.