David and Victoria Beckham use this century-old storage solution in their ultra-modern kitchen

If anybody has the ability to marry timeless design with modern living, it is David and Victoria Beckham. Just as the designer's closet is as classic as it is contemporary, her London townhouse similarly strikes this perfect balance, and it begins with the kitchen. 

The townhouse, like many of the properties located in London's exclusive Holland Park, has a century-old heritage, with many dating back to the Georgian and Victorian eras. With its history comes architectural assets, including high ceilings and tall, curved windows, as seen in their modern kitchen. However, in all these features, it is their pan storage that has caused the most excitement among culinary experts.

The brass pots and pans are seen hanging from a metal pot rack above David and Victoria's wooden kitchen island, designed by luxury Italian manufacturer Officine Gullo. And it's this storage solution that brings the old and new together. 

Celebrated for luxe metal-based designs, Officine Gullo is a leader in design –  and David and Victoria Beckham's modern kitchen, complete with tall black cabinets that give the space a sleek, contemporary feel. 

These cabinets, along with their gold shelving and dramatic dark marble kitchen backsplash, juxtapose the Beckham's pan storage with a more traditional aesthetic. Looks aside, however, this decorative feature has its practical benefits, too. 

'Hanging pots and pans can add a decorative element to the kitchen, especially if they are arranged in an aesthetically pleasing way. For example, a beloved cookware collection can be displayed prominently to keep memories front and center. However, it's hard not to note their ease of access, too,' says professional chef Norah Clark. 

'Hanging pots and pans above a kitchen island can make them easily accessible while cooking, saving time and effort.' They're also a clever space-saving solution; as Norah explains, hanging them saves on cabinet space, freeing them up for other essentials. 

Norah Clark

Norah Clark is a trained pastry chef and has worked at numerous luxury hotels such as The Ritz Carlton Hotel and The Savoy, in London. She is also a trained diet consultant and trained nutritionist and now dedicates her time to sharing her knowledge online on her food blog YummyTasteFood having taken time away from professional cooking to travel and relax. 

'Hanging pots and pans can help keep the kitchen organized, especially if they are arranged according to size and shape in drawers or on shelves throughout the kitchen,' Norah adds.

'It's also a unique way to make a design statement out of a cooking kit with vintage pieces or matching colorful enameled pots that tie in with the rest of your kitchen's features.' Alternatively, we can opt for brass/rose-gold-hued pieces, as seen on David and Victoria's rack. We love these similar pots and pans, and this equally practical pan rack, both available via Wayfair.

Blending old and new is what gives rooms depth and character, and this is something that's particularly important in a kitchen when they can be very practical spaces. Taking an approach like the Beckham's, adding in traditional a focal point, is the perfect way to get the balance and achieve the look - the space is still decidedly modern, but there's a clear traditional twist.