LDK Builders and Designs by D: A Collaboration of Craft and Design

In 1976, Larry Kuperus founded LDK Builders, a full-service, custom home builder based in Minnesota’s Twin Cities. This family-owned boutique firm, now led by Larry’s son Greg Kuperus and Matt Blackketter, focuses on precise craftsmanship and a hands-on process throughout every project.

A defining element of LDK Builders’ work is its decades-long partnership with Designs by D, founded by interior designer DeAnne Latterell. DeAnne is involved from the earliest stages, helping ensure the home’s structure and interiors develop as a unified, functional whole. This builder-designer collaboration gives each residence a cohesive foundation before construction even begins.

Precision in Practice

LDK Builders takes on a select number of custom homes each year, ensuring precision, active project oversight, and uninterrupted client attention. Its full-service model spans site evaluation, architectural collaboration, construction management, and curated finish selections—allowing clients to work with a single, trusted team throughout the entire process. Many clients come from referrals and repeat families, a reflection of the trust and long-term satisfaction that defines the LDK Builders experience.

Designing with Intention

DeAnne discovered her passion for residential design early, spending her teens studying homes and interiors long before she entered the field professionally. Her design philosophy centers on creating warm, refined, and intentional spaces that balance her aesthetic with her clients’ vision. “Every house has its own unique personality. When I’m designing, I take on that personality, and it becomes my style,” she says. She enters each project at the earliest stages, shaping layouts and sightlines so the architectural framework and interior design evolve together. Her approach balances aesthetics with livability—ensuring that circulation, functionality, and material choices support how clients truly use their homes.

Cambria Connection

LDK Builders and Designs by D specify Cambria in every home they build, a choice heavily influenced by their fabricator, Select Surfaces. “Our relationship with Select Surfaces, a Cambria Premier Partner, played a major role in our decision. Its responsiveness, service, and attention to detail make it a partnership we trust,” says Greg. DeAnne echoes that confidence, noting she has used Cambria in every home she has lived in—and continues to recommend it to her clients. 

Cambria gives DeAnne the design flexibility she needs to create cohesive spaces. She frequently uses it for full-height backsplashes, bars, and architectural features, choosing patterns that support each home’s palette and elevate its visual identity.

LDK Builders values Cambria for its reliability across every phase of construction. Precise installations, responsive service, and the assurance of a transferable Full Lifetime Warranty provide confidence on every project.

Featured Projects

These model homes showcase the depth of LDK Builders and DeAnne’s creative collaboration, offering complete expressions of her design vision.

Modern Warmth: For this home, DeAnne embraced a soft, playful aesthetic shaped by curved forms and warm materials. The lower-level bar—the home’s standout moment—features  Brittanicca Gold Warm™ on the countertop. It is paired with an arched opening fit with rimmed paneling and anchored by warm oak cabinetry. “It’s the first thing you see when you come downstairs, and I wanted it to grab your attention,” DeAnne says.

In the kitchen, the warm oak cabinetry and clean lines continue. DeAnne used Everleigh in a Cambria Matte® finish across the island, full-wall range backsplash, and surrounding countertops.

Classic Coastal: Inspired by a modern Cape Cod feel, this Wayzata, MN, home balances timeless detailing with clean lines and soft contrasts. The kitchen features Ella™ in a Cambria Matte finish across the countertops, range backsplash, and window wall for a cohesive, natural look. A walk-in scullery with blue cabinetry complements the main kitchen, extending both the functionality and character of the home.

Beyond the Countertop

Over the years, LDK Builders and Designs by D have incorporated Cambria in ways that extend far beyond traditional kitchen countertops. In a model home in Edina, MN, a lower-level fireplace was clad in Huntley™, creating a dimensional, stacked-edge surround that creates a bold architectural moment. DeAnne has also used Cambria for showers, full-height backsplashes, and other vertical surfaces—applications that highlight both the material’s durability and its ability to serve as a sculptural design feature.

The Work Ahead

As LDK Builders and Designs by D look to the future, DeAnne reflects on the strength of their long-standing partnership. “We mesh very well together. The LDK team is incredibly attentive to the construction process, and I’m focused on making sure the design is right through every stage,” DeAnne says. Together, they remain committed to that thoughtful and collaborative approach that will continue to define their work in the years to come.