Minnesota Tile Artist Takes the Title of DIY Dominator

Home Improvement Professionals Compete for Title and $10,000

(Minneapolis, MN) – Handmade Tile Association member Mercedes Austin of Mercury Mosaics won $10,000 and the prestige of being Tile Dominator on the show DIY Dominator on the DIY Network.

Austin and two other tile experts put their tile and design prowess to the test by designing and creating a bathroom in just 7 hours. The show aired on the DIY Network on June 2 and 3, and will be available for viewing online after June 9.

While the television show presented a unique challenge for Austin due to the time constraints, she took a specific approach to handling the tasks under pressure.

“In the Tile Dominator competition I wanted to show how being organized and managing an assistant alongside having a simple design with pop would pull off a win,” Austin says.

Austin’s tile company, Mercury Mosaics, focuses on handmade tile creation and installation. Handmade tile encompasses glass and ceramic tiles made by human hands, and not manufactured on an assembly line.

Austin wanted to make sure she demonstrated how high-quality tile work could fit many budgets.

"I made a design based off of high demand designs I have created,” says Austin. “I take high end mosaics and combine them with economical field tile, resulting in a unique look that fits most budgets."

To see the finished project, check out the Tile Dominator episode on DIYNetwork.com after June 9.

The Handmade Tile Association is a union of independent artisans who design and create tile and artwork incorporating tile. It’s headquartered in Minneapolis, MN.

For more information on Mercury Mosaics, visit www mercurymosaics.com or call 612-236-1646 and for more on the Handmade Tile Association and its members, visit the HTA’s website - handmadetileassociation.org - or call 612-781-6409.