What is the Story Behind Charleston Green? - Page 112
Our fair and Holy City of Charleston, South Carolina, is painted with dabs and dots of a single signature color, which is commonly referred to as Charleston Green. It's a color that could dress up the shabbiest Charleston single house, and aggrandize the smallest freedman's cottage.
A green so dark it appears black, it lends an air of subtle chameleon mystery to streets with light streaming through moss draped trees. The color changes as you move and elevates what might have been a simple flat black to a rich and dignified tone.
The History Behind Charleston Green
Charleston Green lends a formal sensibility, but the purported history is more rebellious. The origin of the color is contested, but the story goes that after the American Civil War, the Union sent buckets of plain black government-issued paint down to Charleston to gloss over what war had done to the city. But Charlestonians, less than impressed with boring black, added yellow and blue (or green, depending on the source) to make the deep forest green now named for the city where it originated.
How to Use Charleston Green on Your Home
If you're strolling Downtown Charleston on the brick, pavement, or cobblestone streets, you'll notice the hue applied to front doors, window shutters, Italianate trim and even balustrades. There's no right or wrong way to use Charleston Green, but do remember that direct sunlight will heat the dark color and could cause it to bubble, or even be hot to the touch—a danger those moss draped trees can alleviate, since the Charleston housing market is quite hot enough on its own.
This deepest-deep green hue can be used in a variety of different exterior color schemes. The most classic is off-white with Charleston Green shutters and doors. Green shutters can compliment a lighter green home, a yellow home, or even a pink one.
If you'd like to add a touch of black-tie class, but don't want to darken your overall palette, try painting just the front door, or brushing the window sashes with Charleston Green while the casing remains white. Some homes paint only their front steps in the color. Window boxes are a nice place to add a deep green to bring out the green leaves and flowers and provide a visual anchor to the shape of the windows. Think of them as the strong brows on the face of your home.
You can also pull the color inside by using it on an interior staircase or in a study. Give a high-style makeover to a small half bath with a stunning high gloss enamel finish or treat a mantle to a stroke of dark green.
While the color chip is readily available from Historic Charleston Foundation's collection at your nearest Sherwin-Williams, you could also mix your own using a local recipe:
DIY: Charleston Green Recipe
10 ounces black paint
4 ounces green paint
½ ounce yellow paint
Now that you know what to look for, the next time you're walking South of Broad , you'll more easily spot the difference between a true black hue and the trademark tint that we call Charleston Green.
Looking for something different? See below for current listings downtown Charleston!
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82 Nassau Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 19011300 / Sold
This is a beautiful, complete renovation of an incredible Historic Charleston home. Enjoy all the charm of Charleston architecture, with all the am...
12 Tradd Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19011236 / Sold
Built around 1790, this three story brick residence has beautifully proportioned rooms and retains many of it's original features. The main house,...
330 Concord Street UNIT 7e
Charleston, SC 29401
Dockside
Residential
MLS# 19011058 / Sold
This condo has extraordinary views from the 7th floor at the luxurious Dockside. The two-bedroom unit offers breathtaking panoramic views that look...
348 King Street UNIT H
Charleston, SC 29401
Downtown
Residential
MLS# 19011081 / Sold
In the center of world-famous King Street, you will find the perfect 2 bedroom/2 bath condo in a beautiful historic building. Your front door opens...
153 Tradd Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19010969 / Sold
Chic, head-to-toe. This newly updated light filled three bedroom, plus office, house is situated in the middle of sought after Tradd Street in the...
117 Drake Street UNIT A & B & C
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 19010961 / Sold
Don't miss your opportunity live in Downtown Charleston and have two other units help pay your mortgage. The location is great - across the street ...
75 South Battery Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19011026 / Sold
75 South Battery is a beautiful light filled family home with 4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths and a flexible floor plan with 2 options for a dining room. A...
125 Line Street UNIT A
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 19010873 / Sold
Completely renovated ground floor apartment with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath in Cannon-Elliotborough that is walking distance to all the shops, restauran...
74 America Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 19010485 / Sold
Welcome to 74 America Street. Like the name of the street suggests, when you walk into this newly constructed dwelling you feel the freedom of a mo...
12 1/2 Gadsden Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 19010471 / Sold
Bright and sunny Charleston Single with off-street parking for 2 cars. Lovely landscaped, low-maintenance garden with custom fencing offers outdoor...
70 Halsey Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 19010354 / Sold
70 Halsey Boulevard is an extraordinary new luxury home under construction in the Halsey Park enclave of Harleston Village in historic Charleston. ...
174 Tradd Street UNIT #3
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19011128 / Sold
Very motivated seller!! Location, location! ... Classic Charleston single home divided into 3 condos. Unit 3 only for sale. Recently upgraded by ...
91 East Bay Street UNIT 1/2
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19010421 / Sold
This beautifully restored Carriage House on Rainbow Row, circa 1850, is perfectly suited for every lifestyle. Enter through the iron gate on East B...
259 Coming Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 19010297 / Sold
Ideal Investment. Six bedroom, renovated duplex with maneuverable off-street parking - just $750,000! Located two blocks from upper King St. and ...
13 Lowndes Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19010171 / Sold
Category 1 Bed & Breakfast (STR) License conveys with this absolutely charming home. Built in the 1920's, this home has high ceilings throughout, ...
34 Society Street UNIT B
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 19009925 / Sold
The perfect turn-key Pied-A-Terre in Charleston's adorned Ansonborough neighborhood. This 2BDR/2.5BA condo is being sold fully furnished. Everythin...
62 Barre Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 19009748 / Sold
Charming Colonial situated on a well landscaped lot in downtown Charleston's historic Harleston Village - one block from MUSC and a short walk to t...
88 King Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19010936 / Sold
Classic circa 1790's ''Bijou'' pied a terre South of Broad with off street parking and magical garden. This is the ideal pied a terre for enjoying ...
55 Laurens Street UNIT 55-A
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 19009626 / Sold
One of two coveted carriage houses behind the James Jervey House at 55 Laurens Street, this charming, 1850's masonry, pied-a-terre in historic Anso...
59 Gibbes Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19009673 / Sold
SOUTH OF BROAD, ONE BLOCK OFF BATTERY. This amazing Historic home features an open & spacious floor plan w/the main fl. boasting a welcoming foyer...
11 King Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19009283 / Sold
Located South of Broad, this historic 1887 Charleston single combines elegantly preserved historic details with an updated interior and outdoor liv...
The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Broker ReciprocitySM Program of the Charleston Trident Multiple Listing Service. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Marshall Walker Real Estate are marked with the Broker ReciprocitySM logo or the Broker ReciprocitySM thumbnail logo (a little black house) and detailed information about them includes the name of the listing brokers. Last updated on 05-20-2024 9:56 PM EST .
The broker providing these data believes them to be correct, but advises interested parties to confirm them before relying on them in a purchase decision.
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