Meet LAUREN CAMARATA: Owner of Old French Trading Company, a Creative Atelier

We had the good fortune of connecting with LAUREN CAMARATA and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi LAUREN, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
This is a great question at a great time. Like many who may be experiencing job loss or a career change due to the pandemic, my business was born out of the recession in 2009. After spending over two decades in Film, Television, Print and Radio, I found myself downsized with substantive opportunities few and far between. During this period, I moved into a fixer-upper and found myself with a huge to-do list and some time on my hands. I decided I couldn’t live with ugly, outdated wood cabinets and was determined to find a solution that didn’t involve the use of power tools. My online searches led me to the website of Annie Sloan, the creator of Chalk Paint®️ and lifestyle expert. My first purchase came with lots of expert advice from the Stockist who sold it to me. One application of the paint on my kitchen cabinets and I was sold! The process was so liberating that I tackled several other areas in my house and found that I could effect designer quality change in just a few hours. By the time I had painted nearly every piece of outdated wood surface, Chalk Paint®️ had made its way to California and was searching for shop owners to carry the brand. I immediately volunteered even though I was neither a shop owner nor a business person. What motivated me was the love of the paint. I knew if I could share my passion and willingness to get people excited about transforming their environments, I could figure out the rest.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As human beings, I love that we are the sum of our experiences. There are many components to my journey, some foundational, some educational, others are choices made along the way. When I think about where I currently am, I think about all the things that have motivated or triggered me. As I mentioned, my father was a grounding force in my life. I was encouraged to attend college from a young age and chose Film School at Loyola Marymount, earning an M.A. in Writing for Film and Television. I then spent two decades in Los Angeles working in the entertainment industry. Working in marketing, advertising, sales and creative services for many well-known television and film studios, including FOX, Sony and Saban Entertainment, producing content for print, broadcast and online platforms. Exposed to both the behind-the-scenes creative industries that serve the entertainment community, including photo shoots, fashion shows, events and fundraisers, it was not until I relocated back to Turlock, that I parlayed my experiences in designing, creating and producing campaigns and events for others into my own creative business. Visual mediums are important to me. I am drawn to color, shape, design and texture, whether it’s in a photograph or a piece of furniture. I like everything to tell a story. That is the key to a long-lasting relationship with your home environment. Art is important, too.. Art has always played an integral role for me in design because scale, color and composition are the building blocks to a successful outcome. Now focused on transforming furniture—and customer’s viewpoints—one piece at a time, Old French Trading Company allows me to combine my love of paint, decor, vintage/estate sales finds and produce vignettes that speak to my many passions—books, travel, handmade goods, as well as supporting other artisans. I refer to my shop as a ‘Creative Atelier’ because it is a place where creative ideas are nurtured and born.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Welcome to the central San Joaquin valley! Our little town is nestled in the center of California and close to many sights and excursions, including San Francisco, Yosemite and wine country. Our historic downtown is a slice of Americana, with charming buildings and plenty of hip destinations. Several restaurants serve up some of the best food anywhere, including La Mo, a sophisticated Latin bistro with fresh farm to table fare that reflects this area’s rich agricultural diversity.. The outdoor patio is filled with lush succulents and Mexican pottery, where we’ll enjoy one of their fresh peach Sangrias. Next up: antiques and gardens. No visit would be complete without a trip to Main Street Antiques. This sprawling antique mall boasts over 30 vendors who specialize in everything from shabby chic to mid-century modern. The Greenery is no ordinary garden center. This heritage family-owned business offered something for everyone. Their pottery selection is absolutely beautiful and are showcased in stunning arrangements. The last leg of our tour takes us up the road to Murphys, CA. A quaint gold mining town in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada’s, Murphy’s boasts over 30 wineries and tasting rooms on their main strip. Wine tasting, dining and shopping is the perfect combination to wrap up a visit in No. California. The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I love giving shout outs! I’m a big believer in shining the spotlight where it is deserved. I dedicate everything I do to my father, Martin Camarata, who was a prolific artist and had an incredible capacity for enriching everyone he met. Amongst his best advice was to go forth and ‘enlarge yourself, meaning to seek out new ways of thinking, exploring your environment, open yourself to new ideas, read, and most importantly, discover your potential. He changed the lives of generations of college students and his commitment to making his own art was a daily practice. He made art every day whether or not anyone else would ever like it, or buy it. That’s something I try to think about when I’m frustrated or feel stuck. When I teach my paint classes I like to tell my students a particular story about my father. When my sister and I were growing up we were not allowed to have coloring books. Outrageous, I know. According to my dad, coloring books are ‘someone else’s art’, not your own. We were furnished with a steady stream of art supplies as kids and a room with unfinished walls to create our own masterpieces. Now, when you’re 8 or 9 you just want what everyone else has and it doesn’t seem fair. Years later, I realized my dad had a point. If you follow along or copy someone else’s ideas, you won’t create your own. And your ideas are amazing! I’ve taken that to heart as well, and have tried to nurture my capacity for ideas and ways to approach my business that are maybe a little outside the norms.

Website: www.oldfrenchtrading.com

Instagram: @oldfrenchtradingco

Twitter: @lc_oldtradingco

Facebook: @oldfrenchtradingco

Other: Pinterest @frenchtradingco

Image Credits
Lauren Camarata I certify these are my photos