Silvia Marlia is the Italian-born designer behind Sand for Kids. Her passion for design combined with her expertise in the way children learn has led to a range of furniture and accessories which are functional and engaging as well as visually appealing. We talked to Silvia about scale, purpose and her best test audience. 



Where and when did your passion for design originate?
I was raised among architects and designers, and most of my friends in Milan followed that path. I think that was just what everybody around me pursued, although I followed my passion for education at the same time.

You have a background in children's education. How does this inform your work?
I have studied Rudolf Steiner and later Montessori education principles over the past 10 years. Firstly, because I was a Steiner student and I wanted to understand where I came from. Secondly, combined these educational principles helped me to develop the SAND collection to best meet children's needs and relationship with their environment. Learning about both systems enriched my view and focused my perception of how to best design for the child's eye. They refined my understanding of design principles to be more natural, simple and functional, and had a great impact on the colour palette and shapes.


The Overall tables and chairs evoke a 1950s feel, and are designed to give children a level of independence while maintaining a harmonious aesthetic.

What is the guiding philosophy behind your designs?
Think small!!! Always think in small proportion, for small fingers, for small bodies. This adds grace, poetry and functionality to the design.

How do you hope children will interact with the furniture and accessories you design?
Children will naturall interact with objects using their instinct. Children innately have a desire to learn, refining their motor skills, developing and adapting to the environment and of course they want to be like the adults. By giving them objects and products they can use freely, because they are the correct proportion, shape and material, they can simply use them in a purposeful and independent manner.


The Book on Wheels (left) is a reinterpretation of the classic library cart, designed and scaled for children. The Toolbox Set (right) is designed to hold A4 paper and craft materials and encourages archiving/putting away.

What do you think is sometimes lacking in design for children?
It is a lack of purpose, most of the time. There are lots of products that are way too complicated for children. We should suggest to children rather than overwhelming them with a clash of colors, shapes and materials. By doing this we take away their imagination.

Have your own children influenced your designs?
I often offer my prototypes to my older son and his friends and observe how they interact with it from a distance. My using this process of have been able to collect excellent suggestions on how to improve the design and function!

Quickfire questions:

Favourite meal: Savoury zucchini cake
Design icon:  Irma Boom
Pet hate: Snakes
Dream holiday: Hiking the Matterhorn
First job: Book store librarian