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Segreto Spotlight- Our Head Wood Cabinet Finisher, Jerry!

Feb 24, 2020

Hi Friends! I hope you are having a wonderful week! If you have worked with Segreto you have probably met Jerry, our head wood cabinet finisher. With a gift for color, he is as talented with his craft as he is leading and training our Segreto team.

One of 12 children, Jerry grew up in the furniture refinishing business, as his father (now 95), was one of Houston’s go-to people when it came to repairing and staining woods back in the day.

It was a family business for the Bazan Brothers, and little Jerry, to the left in front of his Mom and Dad, is now the second generation, carrying on the trade he learned from his Dad so long ago. He mastered staining, restoring and finishing pieces at an early age and became genuinely passionate about the transformations these pieces took on. I was lucky to hire him 18 years ago and he has been a Segreto staple ever since.

Since the company has grown, our staff doesn’t always get to see every project Segreto works on, rather only the ones they are a part of. Thus, Jerry has taken a hand at photography to share what his team does with the rest of our crew! I love this picture he took while working at the Segreto warehouse!! Today I am going to share a bit of Jerry and some views from his week!!

Jerry is a master of taking a surface and totally transforming it!! Take this door——lovely wood and reclaimed, but………. not the finish Architectural Designer Sarah West had in mind.

The door to this pantry now looks more interesting and aged after his magic. This technique was done without stripping and bleaching the wood first, which not only is a cost-savings for the client but also less mess and smell.

The ceiling and beams were similar in process. Starting with dark stained wood, a lighter perspective was given by layering translucent glazes over the existing surface, lightening them without covering up the natural grain of the wood.

This freshly built cabinet takes on the feel of centuries-old furniture. Jerry, truly putting our clients, staff and Segreto’s mission first, patiently trains and collaborates with all of our artisans, sharing ideas and working together with our team to perfect their craft.

In fact, he will tell you one of his greatest joys, is not only to be able to do something he loves every day, and teach others, but also to learn from the many artisans which make up the Segreto team.

What does Jerry like to do when he is not bringing joy to clients by creating beauty in their homes (which for him is 6 days a week)? He loves to lift weights, work out, travel and spend time caring for his parents.

Jerry’s favorite challenge is matching new materials to an old finish where they seamlessly blend together. Like the above shutters which Designer Kara Childress purchased to become a really cool place for packages and mail to be left. Kara can find it, Goodchild Builders can build it and Segreto can finish it!

He makes it impossible to determine the old from the new, even on the MDF Panels!

Jerry is a master problem-solver and inventor, really. He creates processes to take something which is no longer aesthetically pleasing to our clients and transforms it into something of beauty.

Is it the same piece? I love the the new accessories as well!

These carved pieces are actually created from 3-D printing because the radius was impossible to weld with iron. Made from a type of plastic, it was our challenge to create a finish that married well with the brass cap.

Railings are not the only place we use gold. With metallic trending, you will see Jerry’s transformations on furniture, bead details on cabinetry and paneled walls!

If you have worked with Segreto for anything that has to do with wood, Jerry has probably had a hand in the project, whether it be creating the sample- showing the team the steps, or personally implementing the finish.

Without a doubt, he is an incredibly gifted wood cabinet finisher, but even more special is his warm heart and generous spirit! I have loved working and collaborating with Jerry at my side. He has gone on this incredible Segreto journey with me and has made such major contributions to our the trust our clients have in us.

When I asked him to text me a few pictures of his family (can you spy little Jerry) he texted this back to me. “Looking at these pictures takes me back. I love those memories. My Dad not only worked hard to give me as much as he could, having so many children, but he gave me a great foundation in my knowledge and experience in what I do today! “- Jerry

I am so thankful to have such an amazing artist and devoted wood cabinet finisher! Follow us on Instagram @segretofinishes to see more views from Jerry!! Till next week! XO Leslie



24 Comments
  • Katie Ellison
    Posted at 06:39h, 24 February Reply

    Leslie, Thank you for sharing Jerry’s story and talent. He is truly a gifted artist. I can only imagine how much more gracious and tender a man he must be having a heart for beauty and caring for his parents.
    Does he ever to workshops for artisans apart from Segreto? Katie

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 06:21h, 25 February Reply

      Hi Katie! We have thought about a Segreto workshop with him teaching. One day I think it will happen. He truly is so patient and love to teach as well as learn. Stay tuned.

  • Martina Babine
    Posted at 07:07h, 24 February Reply

    What a great tribute to Jerry! I am certain his parents are so proud of him carrying their work legacy. And what beautiful transformations indeed. I especially love the look of the reclaimed door. I have so enjoyed the beautiful work him and your team did to our cabinets and our master ceiling years ago!

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 06:20h, 25 February Reply

      Jerry is Amazing!! And we sweet lady have loved working with you! xo

  • Pamela Bolton
    Posted at 07:32h, 24 February Reply

    A true master of his craft. Segreto is truly fortunate to have such a talented and passionate artisan as part of the team.

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 06:19h, 25 February Reply

      Hi Pamela! Don’t I know it!! I count my blessings every day!! Have an amazing week and thank you so much for following along!

  • sandi
    Posted at 08:07h, 24 February Reply

    I would love to hear more about which translucent glazes he used on each piece!
    Also, I would love to sit unter his tutilege for a week! Does he do/offer courses/workshops ever? I am in the Austin area & would come down for one of those! I am just a novice, but I so appreciate his gifting.

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 06:18h, 25 February Reply

      Hi Sandi! We have thought about offering classes but just haven’t been able to find the time. I am considering the art fusion event in Horshoe Bay in August. So close to you!!

  • Roberta
    Posted at 08:27h, 24 February Reply

    I would also be interested in taking a workshop.

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 06:17h, 25 February Reply

      Hi Roberta!! I have thought about that. Jerry would love it as well. We are just so busy out in the field we just haven’t had the time!! Thank you so much for considering it!! Have a great day! xo Leslie

  • Alison
    Posted at 09:09h, 24 February Reply

    What a great story! Jerry is so talented. Thank you for sharing.

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 06:16h, 25 February Reply

      Hi Alison, we all have loved being a part of your home!! I am blessed to have such an amazing team!! Miss you! xo

  • Linda Langham
    Posted at 13:59h, 24 February Reply

    I am Jerry’s younger sister and I can remember in high school taking art classes together and could see the incredible talent he had even back then! Our dad had the same talent and I’m so thankful he passed it on to Jerry! I am so in awe of the artist he has flourished into in working with your company! He truly is gifted and we his family are so proud of him! Thank you for all that you have done to guide him in his artistic journey Leslie!

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 06:15h, 25 February Reply

      Hi Linda! I miss seeing you! I hope you and those cute kiddos are doing well! Jerry has truly been a gift to me and so many others! You have a very special, wonderful family!! xo

  • Maria G. Esther Bazan-Myrick
    Posted at 14:19h, 24 February Reply

    Love my very talented brother! As one of his older sisters, I can say Jerry is truly a gift to not only Secreto, but to our family. Thank you for this tribute. We will share it with dad, the one who taught him this trade and mom who has an eye for color and decor! Maria Esther Bazan-Myrick.

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 06:14h, 25 February Reply

      Hi Maria! Your whole family is simply amazing!! I have been honored to get to know and meet so many of you–even though his stories and pictures!! I love your parents! Cheers to Jerry! xo

  • Sara Loftin
    Posted at 14:26h, 24 February Reply

    I feel he would do great at hosting a workshop as well. Very talented artist.

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 06:11h, 25 February Reply

      Hi Sarah! He really would. I have thought about doing that and he is an amazing teacher. Time just always gets away from us!! thanks for following along with his story! xo

  • Nancy Brantley
    Posted at 18:24h, 24 February Reply

    Jerry is DEFINITELY talented!! I know his dad is so proud of him! Thank you for posting his talent and giving him recognition!

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 06:10h, 25 February Reply

      Hi Nancy!! He is so easy to talk about. Talented, humble, grateful, and so patient and nice to all! I am so blessed that after 18 years he still likes being around me!! thanks so much for your comment! I will share it with him! xo Leslie

  • Jeanette McVay
    Posted at 20:05h, 02 March Reply

    I would so love to take a workshop with Jerry at Art Fusion ! Enjoyed your lecture at Art Fusion this past year. Thanks so much for the blogs!!

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 07:54h, 05 March Reply

      Hi Jeanette! We have talked about this so often. One day. I so appreciate you following along and I hope to see you at art Fusion this year!!

  • Lillian Lehman
    Posted at 22:25h, 02 March Reply

    What a wonderful tribute to Jerry, his craftsmanship and family heritage – but also to your appreciation of him as a true artisan. Both of you are lucky to have found each other!
    Lillian Lehman, ASID

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 07:53h, 05 March Reply

      Hi Lillian! I am so blessed for sure!! Can’t wait for you to see your pieces. Lets get together next week!!

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