En garde!: Two local design firms will cross tape measures in a Design Duel, and two lucky area homeowners will enjoy the results. Breckinridge Taylor and Pulp Design Studios will each use only $3,000 and products local ReStores, which sell new and gently used home items and benefit Habit for Humanity, the contest’s sponsor. From Aug. 31 to Sept. 14, you can enter your home for a 3-week makeover,  More in the video above and the press release after the jump.

Rock the vote: The theme for September’s Late Night at the Dallas Museum of Art is “iMuseum” and the staff is planning all sorts of ways for you to interact with technology. But the big question is: What local band will perform? And you can have a say in that. DMA blog Uncrated is running a contest to choose who’s to perform on the main stage.  Check out video of the nominees and cast your vote.

Opera chat: Dallas Opera Artistic Director Jonathan Pell is blogging from Glimmerglass Festival in upstate New York. And this week, it sounds like he’s been doing a bit of talent scouting – listening to more than 20 apprentice singers. Many who made strong impressions have North Texas ties. And who might they be? Well, go find out on the Opera’s blog.

DALLAS AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY LAUNCHES “DESIGN DUEL”

Top Dallas interior design firms go head-to-head to raise awareness of Dallas Habitat ReStores®

DALLAS (August 28) – Two Dallas interior design firms will battle for bragging rights as the “Top Designer” of Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity’s “Design Duel.” The contest will put the design skills and creativity of Breckinridge Taylor and Pulp Design Studios to the test as each team redesigns two finalists’ living/dining areas using only items from Dallas Area Habitat’s ReStores, a $3,000 budget and a three-week time limit.

The designers will be paired with two finalists who have the most compelling entry and receive the largest number of votes from the public. After the redesigns are complete, a panel of local judges – including interior designers and media personalities – combined with a percentage of public votes will determine the ultimate “Top Designer.”

Consumers can enter to win the makeover online at www.designduel.org or in-store at one of the three Dallas Area Habitat ReStores, located at 2800 North Hampton Road in Dallas,  3546 Forest Lane in Dallas, and 451 West Interstate 30 in Garland. Entrants must provide their personal contact information, up to three photos of their living/dining area, and a short paragraph on why they should be chosen for the makeover. Five semi-finalists will be selected and their entries posted to www.designduel.org where consumers will vote for two finalists who are most deserving of a redesign.

About Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity ReStores®

Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity ReStores® sell new and gently used home decorating and improvement products – such as cabinets, light fixtures, ceramic tile, laminate flooring, rugs and furniture – at 50 to 70 percent off the retail price, with all proceeds going toward the construction of new Dallas Area Habitat homes.