Star Kitchen: Cat Cora

When Cat Cora and her wife, Jennifer, decided to renovate their Santa Barbara kitchen a few years ago, they had their work cut out for them: The space hadn't been touched since the 1950s, and they took on the project while they were both pregnant. "It was nuts. The stove didn't work — it had to be sawed out! The washer and dryer were where the fridge is," Cat says.

Cat's wife, Jennifer, once worked in the wine business in Napa Valley, so the couple has some fairly odd bottles. "We even had some from the 1880s, but most of the ones we opened were corked," Cat says. "If we haven't treated ourselves in a while, we'll open up something nice."

In addition to raising four sons, Cat and Jennifer chase after two rescued Chihuahuas, Harlow and Remy. "I always joke that even if we brought a goldfish into this house, it would throw it all off balance," Cat says.

When Jennifer suggested these IKEA cabinets (from $96 for a two-door Akurum cabinet with Ståt doors; ikea.com), Cat says she was skeptical because of the bargain price. "But they are great!" she admits.