Individuals looking to upgrade their kitchen designs may be interested in the recent comments of one style expert.Ronnie Whelan, editor of Essential Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom, explained that the trend this year was for the mixing of different materials and colours to create a striking look.The news may inspire some homeowners to consider looking for different finishes on their worktops or kitchen sinks.High gloss finishes continue to be in vogue, but this season, its the mixing and matching of materials and colours which will flourish as discerning homeowners seek to create a truly individual look, Ms Whelan said.Meanwhile, Key Retirement Solutions reported that nearly two out of three customers opting for equity release are using some of the cash for home and garden improvements.According to the groups Equity Release Market Monitor for the first nine months of 2010, up to 613.325 million of housing wealth was released compared with 586.7 million in the same period of 2009.