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Jay Blades tells the story of how mid-century furniture continues to influence the modern day home by revealing the history behind three classic pieces repaired in the barn.

The first item is a classic room divider brought in by Chris and Tim from Doncaster. The screen was created by the celebrated Finnish designer Alvar Aalto. Jay uses archive to reveal the vital part Aalto played in modern day furniture, helping to move away from the fussy furnishings of the early 20th century to the kind of naturally shaped pieces that many of us have in our homes today.

Next is an Eames chair brought in by Joanne Silverstein and daughter Lisa from East Sussex, a piece that epitomises the boom in stylish furniture during the 1950s. Jay explains how the chair was designed – going through a whopping 13 different versions of the armrest alone – and how it has influenced modern furniture.

Finally, a classic hanging leather chair that had seen better days. Jay tells the story of how the chair was part of a new wave of modern British design that transformed the nation’s homes in the mid-20th century. He shows how the likes of Ercol and G-Plan brought Scandinavian influences to these shores and how their designs live on in homes today.