Some choose to buy and others choose to DIY

(Left) Alexandra Gater & Dani Berger

Picture this, eight grey and white barn boards nailed together in a staggered diamond-like shape. Hung on the boards, are four white clay pots each with a shiny gold opening where a variety of beautiful plants is displayed. This earth tone, rustic looking piece of art is a plant wall. A perfect statement piece to spice up any wall in your home. What’s the catch? You have to make it yourself. But, don’t worry, you’ll have some help.

Coral, a DIY (Do It Yourself), home and beauty YouTube channel launched a new series in September called Buy or DIY. Home decor expert Alexandra Gater and DIY guru Dani Berger teamed up to find solutions for their client’s home. From finding the perfect doggy bed to building a desk, they do it all. But, what is a team without competition? Berger is challenged to use her skills to build what the client needs while, Gater is challenged to buy while staying within a budget. Once both projects are complete the client chooses the buy or the DIY.

“How did you make those pots look exactly like the ones I had in my mind?” Nikole Goncalves asked. “I didn't even know you could do that with clay.”

Gater and Berger were challenged to decorate a wall in, Goncalves's Toronto home. After going through Goncalves’ mood board, an arrangement of images that convey a style, colours and, textures. Gater, Berger, and Goncalves decided on a plant wall.

Berger’s worked for brands such as the W Network and Oprah Winfrey Canada. Through her background in digital media, she’s launched an online women's brand called WDish and created a lifestyle show called Get Ready with Rachel which featured a popular YouTuber called Rachhloves. Berger is now one of the hosts on Buy or DIY and also produces the series. Her love for lifestyle, decor, and renovation stared her to the path she’s on now.

“I’m my own artist,” she said. “Being artsy and creative (has) always been in my bones.”

Berger’s love for DIY began when she and her partner moved into a small basement apartment.

“We didn't have any room so we had to be creative,” Berger said. “So, we started to build our own furniture because we had to customize it.”

After building a murphy table she realized “I really like this; I'm really enjoying it.”

Gater thought she was going to be a photojournalist.

“Never in a million years did I think that I would be making a career out of being on YouTube, being a host or being a decor expert,” she said. “Now that I'm doing it, I can't imagine doing anything else.”

After landing a job at Chatelaine Magazine she became an editor and managed the home section. She now has a YouTube channel, Alexandra Gater, where she creates video content to promote budget-friendly room makeovers, decor hauls and room tours.

“My work (targets) millennials who want to live in comfy, cozy, stylish spaces without spending a ton of money,” she said.

Gater shops at a variety of stores, including online to find the perfect buy.

“A huge part of my job is hunting for things,” Gater said. “I love the feeling of bringing a bunch of products together and seeing how patterns and colours all work together. I see it as an art.”

After picking up her barnboards, Berger is off to her on-set studio that is filled with power tools, measuring instruments, equipment galore and one work table where the magic happens. For Berger building is therapeutic.

“There's nothing I love more than just putting on my headphones and working with a good beat,” Berger said. “It helps (me) step outside the crazy media driven world I live in.”

Berger and her partner share a passion for DIY and use it as a way to spend time together. Through DIY Berger has become more confident and independent.

“(My) ultimate goal is to inspire other women (to) do it too. These tools aren't as scary as they think, they just need the knowledge and know-how to use them,” she said.

Aside from the therapeutic and social benefits, many choose to DIY because the assumption is that it is going to cost less. Berger says that DIY isn’t always the best option if you're looking to save money because the time it takes to build the project may not be worth it.

“It also comes down to the materials that you use and what you already have in your tool belt,” Berger said. “If you already own a lot of tools, projects will start to cost a lot less money over time.”

Deciding to buy can also be costly. Gater says there are steps you can take to stay on budget.

“Have a plan,” Gater said. “Going to the store and knowing exactly what you're looking for is helpful.”

Searching for an item that is going to fulfill the image you've created is another struggle. Gater says using Instagram and Pinterest are great ways to find your style and inspiration. For individuals who like to get creative, Gater suggests creating a mood board. For example, how do you coordinate a bright yellow rug in your space?

"I started researching other pieces that could go with that rug," Gater said. "Seeing all those colours come together and switching things out is helpful so I know exactly when I go to the store what I'm going to buy."

In Goncalve’s case, Berger was able to build the plant wall that Goncalves had envisioned. Despite loving Gater's buy, the DIY was a better fit.

"I love the shapes. I love circles, the fact that the pots were very rounded I liked that. I loved how interesting it was; the different colour wood planks behind it, nothing was symmetrical and it was just a very fun wall. "

Doing it yourself gives you the luxury of customizing and it’s okay to seek help.

“Having someone to guide and mentor you is important,” Gater said.