Roan Is a New Toronto-Made Furniture Line with Designer Cred
Designer Meg Cassidy’s 12-piece collection responds to Canada’s procurement challenges with locally made, high-end furniture
After years of designing custom pieces for clients through her namesake interior design firm, Toronto-based designer Meg Cassidy is bringing her refined, storytelling-driven aesthetic to a broader audience with the launch of Roan—a 12-piece furniture collection designed and manufactured entirely in Canada.
“Furniture was one of the tipping points that led me to interior design,” Cassidy says. “I’ve always loved the movement, the architecture of furniture. The storytelling component of it feels like the purpose of why interior design exists.”
Roan’s hallmark coffee table makes a case for warm woods in our living spaces.
Roan, which launched its catalogue this spring, includes solid wood and upholstered pieces crafted with heirloom quality and timeless appeal. The idea for the collection, Cassidy explains, grew out of the needs she encountered in her design practice. “We were finding a lot of opportunities with our clients to bring something in that maybe didn’t exist, or maybe there was a specific nuance in the space that needed something custom.”
That process sparked a deeper interest in furniture design. “I became very passionate about designing furniture and working with manufacturers who shared a similar mindset—bringing really high-quality products into people’s homes.”
The Gigi nightstand.
Though years in the making, Roan’s arrival feels particularly timely. As global supply chains remain strained, the appeal of sourcing locally is only growing. “I’ve struggled a lot with procurement in Canada,” says Cassidy. “There’s a very select number of retailers we’ve loved working with, and that hasn’t changed, but whenever we were questioned about where something came from or faced long lead times, it was often because it was coming from Europe or elsewhere.”
In contrast, Roan is made entirely in Toronto. “Every single step of the process—I’m approving every frame, every material,” says Cassidy. “Having this very dedicated manufacturing team means I can stay close to the process. It was really important to me, especially in the early days, to ensure the vision unfolded exactly as I imagined.”
The Olive daybed.
Design-wise, Roan strikes a careful balance between contemporary edge and classic detail. “The blend comes from the ability to have these pieces live in both a modern setting and a more transitional one,” she explains. “None of the pieces lean too specifically one way.”
That balance shows up in the details. Tables like the Berkeley and coffee tables like the Howard feature beveled edging, softening their silhouette and inviting touch. “There’s a hand to that,” she says. “When you’re walking around a dining table or your leg grazes a coffee table, you notice those softened edges. They bring a bit of classicism.”
The Webster console table.
Other pieces, like the Webster console, introduce contrast through form. “It’s very linear on top, but the conical base gives it some softness. It’s really about juxtaposing those harder lines with gentle curves.”
The collection also allows for material flexibility. Hard goods are available in warm oaks and walnuts as well as blackened or bleached finishes. Upholstered pieces can be customized using the customer’s own materials. “We want these to feel like they could live with different aesthetics,” Cassidy says. “That’s how we design in our studio too—it’s about creating a more eclectic narrative in people’s homes.”
The Howard coffee table.
At the heart of Roan is a commitment to longevity. “All of our products are made of solid wood. We don’t use any veneered products,” Cassidy says. “Whether it’s the wood in our hard goods or the framing in our soft goods, everything is thoughtfully sourced and built to last.”
Her design ethos stands in contrast to fast furniture. “Everyone has a budget, and that’s totally fine. But we’ve had clients come back to us saying that what they bought is peeling or doesn’t work anymore. So we’ve stayed pretty firm—this just isn’t the place we want to be in.”
The Roan collection features a range of seating, including the subtly curvy James sofa.
As for who Roan is for, Cassidy sees two audiences: design-conscious consumers and the trade. “This is someone who appreciates craftsmanship—who wants something that doesn’t feel like it might show up in just anybody’s house,” she says. “And the trade is really important to us. Designers are storytellers too. They bring our work into their clients’ homes and help share that narrative.”
The Roan collection, 2025.
Looking ahead, the Roan collection is already expanding. “The 12 pieces we have now—that’s not where it ends,” Cassidy says. “We’re introducing new furniture, some metalwork, and we have a few select collaborations on the horizon. But our focus right now is just building the brand and telling a compelling story that brings others along on the journey.”
