The first half of 2014 was met with a variety of extremes, from politics to the weather. After months of bitter partisan bickering, political leaders on both sides of the aisle who hotly debated the debt ceiling last fall agreed to raise it in February. Much of the country ricocheted between severe winter storms and balmy temperatures as a harsh winter finally gave way, if reluctantly, to spring.

As home décor designers work on the collections that will hit retail floors next year, Casual Living’s 2015 Color Forecast predicts the idea of extremes evolving toward stability will permeate color palettes indoors and out. 

Opposing ideas create synergy as unexpected shades find harmony, and the old and new converge for fresh looks that are as contemporary as they are timeless.

In the first palette, unity and creativity emerge from a wide spectrum of surprising shades. Energetic orange, red and pink converge with cool blue, purple and taupe with a dash of apple green and sunflower yellow for added contrast.

Next is a palette that interprets the beauty of nature with a refreshing touch of vibrant tones. An earthy foundation of moss green, soft brown and cool blue is enlivened by playful petal pink and spirited shades of purple that recall flowers and berries.

An exotic escape follows, with a palette that imbues the uninhibited wildness of a jungle oasis with a touch of the cosmopolitan. Sophisticated black and white offset dusty neutrals, enhanced by tropical turquoise, yellow and orange.

In the last palette, a sense of playfulness punctuates an array of demure, romantic shades. Vivid apricot, cheerful yellow-green and soft taupe pair with pastel pinks, corals and peaches for a combination that embraces warmth and exhilaration.