Inside the Rachael Ray Show Kitchen

Take a behind the scenes tour of the Rachael Ray Show kitchen! Plus, find out how to get Rachael's kitchen look with six products from the set.

"I wanted to give it a modern look and make it sizzle in HD," says production designer Joe Stewart, who also designed her former studio (and, along with business partner John Shaffner, the set of Friends).

In the new kitchen, Stewart swapped the old set's retro blue fridge, checkerboard floor and orange stove for sleek stainless steel appliances and warm stone and wood finishes. "It's a mix of city, country and rustic Italian -- just like Rachael," he says. And Rach is thrilled: "After six seasons, this was our seventh-inning stretch," she says. "I just love working in here."

Here's something you won't ever see on TV -- Rachael's view from behind the counter! (That's a lot of camera lights, right?)

Rachael's big request for the new studio: reclaimed wood. The rustic tables and shelves -- and the sliding barn door in front of the pantry -- mirror pieces she has in her own home.

"We designed the kitchen in deep golds, greens and autumn colors to make it feel inviting, like you could just plop down at the table with Rachael," Stewart says. "The bright pops come from accessories, like Rachael's own serving pieces, and the scene outside the 60-inch plasma 'window,'" which is also used to show videos or photos during cooking segments.

"I always design my TV kitchens with countertops made out of slab butcher block so I can chop and prep anywhere on the set, and the cameras can move around with me," Rach says.

Rach's Tip: If you have a small kitchen, buy a large wooden cutting block that you can place over your sink. It creates more countertop space!

"I like how well cream-colored subway tiles pair with exposed brick," Stewart says. "It looks modern but still classic and clean."

Name Game: There's a reason you've never heard of the Pennoni pasta or Flap Jacks pancake mix sitting on the shelves: They don't exist! The Rachael Ray graphic design team creates all of the packaged food labels that appear on camera -- except for Rachael's real line of stocks, spices and oils.

Rach's Tip: Don't clutter up your kitchen with a lot of pots. Just buy the ones you need, and only get a set if you can really see yourself using every piece.

Inside Track: Rachael keeps her cooking must-haves, like her favorite knives and spoonulas (spoon-spatula combos), in a drawer by the stove. "I'm a big music lover, so I always have my iPod or a CD nearby." (Yup, that's Rick Springfield's latest album in there!)

Candid Camera: Nestled among the hunks of cheese and fresh veggies is a tiny camera that clicks on when the door swings open. "It's a cool new perspective," Rach says. "And the TV viewers don't have to stare at the back of my head as I grab stuff from the fridge."

Rach's Tip: An open bottle of red wine will lose its flavor a day after it's opened. White wine, though, is fine for 3 to 5 days if kept in the fridge.

Everyone from actress Mindy Kaling to co-host Regis Philbin has stepped into Rach's backstage photo booth.

Seeing Green: Notice the difference in the tree showing in the plasma "window"? The scene changes with the seasons!

Give your kitchen the Rachael look! These airtight Le Chef bamboo canisters are just like the ones Rach keeps on her counter.   

$42 for 3, overstock.com

Store your hard-boiled eggs the same way she does: on a Rachael Ray Sittin' Pretty Red Egg Tray.

$17, cooking.com

Utilitech Xenon cabinet puck lights like the ones in Rachael's pantry add task lighting where you need it.

$20 for 3, lowes.com

Personalize your kitchen with wooden wall letters (12"), which can be customized by color and distressed finish.

$32, etsy.com

You can serve on it, or, like Rach, simply admire how a round rattan tray looks on your shelf!

$26, target.com

Create the illusion of exposed brick with textured wallpaper.

$41 for two rolls, americanblinds.com

Now that you've seen her show kitchen, go behind the scenes with Rach's best celebrity interviews and more!