Restored copper-topped Schindler house

Leopard-spot stone leads visitors to the front door.

The three-story Woodland Hills country house designed by architect Rudolf Schindler was built foractor and state Assemblyman Albert Van Dekker. Decades of deferred maintenance rendered the house an eyesore in the neighborhood until Frank Gamwell restored it.

The copper roof is literally the crowning achievement of the Van Dekker House in Woodland Hills. Frank Gamwell paid $700,000 for the house, then put in an additional $350,000 to replace its copper roof and every other sagging feature of the historic home.

The large vaulted roof looms over Frank Gamwell, who stands in the living room -- his favorite spot in the house.

Modern angular furniture contributes to the design of the living room. Lights built into a beam over the living room add to the ambience of the historic home.

An original cabinet rests in the corner of the living room.

The angular leopard-spot stone fireplace reaches toward the ceiling in the living room.

A section of the vaulted roof is lighted by a row of lights that adds to the warmth of the living room of the Van Dekker House in Woodland Hills.

Early morning light spills into a dressing room that features built-in closets and drawers.

The TV room features overstuffed chairs and sports old movie posters of actor Albert Van Dekker, the house’s original owner.

The upgraded kitchen embraces the original design of the home.

An original built-in metal shoe shine foot rest. It sits behind a small door in the kitchen and folds out when needed for a shoe shine.

The dining room features a Schindler-designed table and plywood chairs.

An open-air patio area can be reached by walking through the kitchen.

Frank Gamwell looks out from an open-air patio area.

The design of the new pool was created with archetect Rudolph Schindler in mind. It anchors the backyard.