Blu Dot to make Rapson chair Those attending the International Contemporary Furniture Fair opening May 17 in New York will get a look at Ralph Rapson's winning "Large Lounge" chair design, sketched here, as a finished product.

Blu Dot, which co-sponsored the 2007 lounge chair design competition with Dwell magazine, will introduce the Minneapolis design icon and architect's entry at the ICFF as part of its 2008 line.

The chair, with a fabric mesh seat and back and bolster arm pillows, is sized for two. Other finalists in the competition, which had 165 entries, were the "Circuit Lounge" by Mike Devereaux and the "Sun Lounge" by Susan Marie Reyes. Rapson's entry was chosen from among the three finalists by Blu Dot, Dwell and online votes from the public.


Notes A "Duel of the Design" event, billed as two designers, two chefs, two florists and two hours, will pit teams from Mimi Design and Bungalow Six against each other to plan a menu, drinks and music, set a tabletop for eight and serve dinner to the judges. Presented by Style Laboratory and Marq magazine, 3 p.m. March 2 (with free trend shows on decor, color and seminars on cooking and wine, among others, starting at 2 p.m.) at Epic in Minneapolis, 110 N. 5th St. $15; call 612-388-2198 for tickets, details at www.theduelofthedesign.com.