A FULL SERVICE ARCHITECTURAL, INTERIOR AND LANDSCAPE DESIGN FIRM
CORY BLACK DESIGN
CUSTOM RESIDENTIAL DESIGNER
Cory Black is the creator and owner of Cory Black Design. Since 2003, Cory Black Design has been a household name in the East Valley. Cory specializes in creating and designing custom homes with unique and functional spaces.
Being a small firm, you can expect to receive top notch service and a genuine and personal experience while designing your dream home. Cory has a team of experts to help make the design process easy especially for first time clients who may not understand the process.
​
In Fall of 2021 an interior design department was created within the firm to give us leverage in our area of expertise. Our goal is to create full-service design to our clients, including landscape design.
In addition, Cory Black Design was recently recognized in the publication of Modern Luxury Magazine East Valley Edition. The magazine showcases Cory’s attention to detail and overall magnitude of creativity in one of the most recognized homes in the East Valley which was featured on the front page.
At Cory Black Design, we are confident that our team and expertise in the custom design business keeps us in the forefront of our competitors.​​
Creativity, Integrity, and Customer Experience is what Cory Black Design is all about.
OUR CREATIVE TEAM
CORY BLACK
OWNER, FOUNDER
Cory Black is the owner and creator of Cory Black Design. His creativity and passion for architecture started at a very young age as he watched his father design and build homes. Cory’s first job, framing houses helped him gain knowledge and experience giving him an edge when it comes to custom design and architecture. Cory has 20 years of experience specializing in high-end residential custom homes and is widely known for his attention to detail and grand elevations.
​
Away from the office, Cory enjoys working on projects in the garage and wood working. He also likes getting away for weekend camping trips with his family where he enjoys riding quads, playing corn hole, and shooting bows.
LACEY CORTHOUTS
OFFICE MANAGER
Lacey joined Cory Black Design in 2021 as Chief Operating Officer/Office Manager. She has 25 years of retail and customer service experience as well as being an executive assistant for 13 years. Lacey is an integral part of the daily business operations.
​
In her free time, Lacey loves cooking and camping with her family.
PAULETTE MATTAR
IN HOUSE INTERIOR DESIGNER
At a very young age, Paulette fell in love with the different avenues of the design industry. It all started while watching her great-uncle, Nashville’s Tailor to the Stars, handmake and design custom clothing for various clientele. As Paulette lived with her family in a handful of homes from the Midwest to Northern California, she found herself intrigued with the intricate detail, color, and materials used in each of her great-uncle’s pieces and wanted to utilize these concepts to making each house feel like home.
This idea of house versus home, along with being captivated by custom design, is what inspired Paulette to pursue Interior Design. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from Arizona State University, complemented by an AAS degree in Interior Design. Paulette comes to Cory Black Design having worked alongside some of Arizona’s most well-known and published designers and brings with her versatile experience working in luxury residential interior design. This includes projects from remodels, rebuilds, new construction, and spec homes.
Paulette is a designer dedicated to thoroughly understanding her client’s visions and transforming them into functional and aesthetic designs through close collaboration with architects and working hand-in-hand with contractors and various trades. To her, design is more than just a place. It’s curating a space for a client and their family that is specifically catered to them and their needs.
When she is not living and breathing design, you can find her enjoying the outdoors, trying new restaurants, or working on a home project.
WESLIE MCBRIDE
ASSISTANT ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER
Weslie has several years’ experience with 3D modeling and rendering, CAD drafting, and interpreting and correcting construction documents. Before joining our team, she worked as a CAD Design Technician for a national engineering firm and as on Office Administrator for an award-winning luxury custom home builder. Her experience on both sides of the building process, from the initial planning stages through home construction, brings a wide range of knowledge to Cory Black Design projects.
Weslie has a Certificate in CAD Drafting from Mesa Community College. In her free time, she enjoys teaching dance and coaches a high school pom team.
MAREN BLACK
JUNIOR DESIGN ASSISTANT
Maren is a senior in high school this year and came to work part-time for Cory Black Design about 6 months ago to oversee all the design reviews for a community in Show Low.
You may see the resemblance as she is also Cory’s daughter. She brings the same creativity and passion for design as Cory does.
In her free time, Maren loves to play the piano, and spend time with friends and family. She also enjoys a day at the lake or camping in the mountains.
BEN GOSEN
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER/PROJECT COORDINATOR
Ben recently joined the Cory Black Design team as a full-time employee. Ben has 28 years of experience in the industry with an associate’s degree in architectural drafting and CAD. He has worked for various architecture firms in the valley over the years developing his skills and gaining knowledge from the people and different projects he has worked on. Ben is experienced in commercial, industrial, retail, restaurants, schools, office buildings, multi-family and residential.
​
Ben enjoys the creation, technical process, and overall aspect of architectural design. The variety of looks and types of buildings has always been a passion and interest of his. He enjoys being part of the process and bringing clients dreams and ideas to life in a project.
​
In his free time, Ben enjoys getting out of town and camping in the forest, relaxing on the lake and fishing. He gets his adrenaline kick from riding his dirt bike and sports bike. He also likes going to concerts and comedy shows and is a big sports fan. Ben enjoys working on vehicles and doing small construction projects as well. He loves spending time with his kids and going home to visit family and relax on their goat farm. When his truck tires hit the dirt road, he is happy.
HALLE BLACK
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Halle is currently a sophomore in high school and has joined the Cory Black Design team as a part-time employee to assist with Social Media presence.
​
As you may have noticed another resemblance, Halle is Cory’s youngest daughter. She brings a high level of understanding for social media and has been a great asset in elevating our presence on Instagram.
​
In her free time, Halle enjoys shopping, baking and vacationing with her family.
MELANIE AMORE
INTERIOR DESIGN ASSISTANT
Melanie is joining the Cory Black Design team as the Interior Design Assistant. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in interior design and is set to graduate this May. Interior design has always been her passion because it allows her to blend creativity with functionality to create spaces that positively impact people's lives. Melanie loves how design can influence mood, productivity, and overall well-being, and she is excited to continue developing her skills in this field.
Growing up, Melanie was always drawn to art and architecture, which naturally evolved into an interest in design. Her schooling has given her the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, from residential to commercial spaces, where she has learned how to approach design challenges with both creativity and practicality.
When she’s not immersed in design work, Melanie enjoys practicing yoga, cooking, shopping, and spending time with her family, friends, and her cat. She is excited about the opportunity to bring her knowledge, creativity, and passion for interior design to this role and is looking forward to the journey ahead!