after settling in pasadena, rees commissioned the renowned santa barbara architect francis w. wilson to design a home in pasadena's normandie heights neighborhood. the house exhibits typical arts and crafts features including clapboard siding on the first floor and wood-shingle wall cladding on the second floor and gables; wood double-hung and casement windows with divided lights; a wide wood front door with a large oval window; arroyo-stone foundation, porch, columns and chimney; vented gables; exposed rafters on the horizontal portions of the roof and triangular braces on the sloping roofs. in light of the home's architectural significance, it has been designated an historical landmark by the city of pasadena.later that year, after a particularly energetic guest sermon at the first church of nazarene in los angeles, rees caused a bit of local scandal by departing the church and leaving his sleeping son paul behind. according to a newspaper account, "[w]hen the boy awoke he was frightened and began to scream lustily, but the door was locked and his rescue was delayed." when rees returned home, he recalled having the boy and promptly telephoned the pastor's wife, learning that the boy was safe.