What is the Story Behind Charleston Green? - Page 114
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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17 Longitude Lane
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19005944 / Sold
Stately brick home quietly located on historic Longitude Lane. Steps from the high Battery but tucked away privately, surrounded by the high garden...
16 S Adgers Wharf
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19006018 / Sold
Circa 1801, once part of the historic James Hamilton Company Building, serving as a cotton warehouse along the city's oldest surviving wharf. Total...
14 Colonial Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19005900 / Sold
Five bedroom South of Broad location for amazing price!!!This completely renovated home is located in the heart of downtown Charleston. Minutes fro...
330 Concord Street UNIT 11 B
Charleston, SC 29401
Dockside
Residential
MLS# 19005730 / Sold
Beautiful corner unit on the 11th floor at Dockside with exceptional sunrises and sunsets! Spanish tile floors throughout. Open kitchen floor pla...
142 South Battery
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19005685 / Sold
The perfect downtown location & a ground floor condo. A block away from the Battery & Colonial Lake. Beautiful hardwood floors, tall ceilings,& amp...
71 Bull Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 19005660 / Sold
** FULLY RENOVATED HISTORIC HOME IN HARLESTON VILLAGE ** A RARE OPEN & MODERN FLOOR PLAN WITH SEVERAL SIDE-BY-SIDE OFF-STREET PARKING SPACES, A COM...
55 1/2 Legare Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19005601 / Sold
Hidden treasure tucked away on Legare Street. Wonderful three bedroom (one currently used as a study) two and a half bath home with great charm and...
19 State Street
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 19005439 / Sold
History abounds in the c. 1796 Frederick Wolfe House. A Charleston Single that is a home of such historic significance rarely becomes available in ...
517 King Street UNIT #14
Charleston, SC 29403
King Street Lofts
Residential
214 Calhoun Street UNIT #3
Charleston, SC 29401
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 19005182 / Sold
Incredible opportunity to own a piece of Charleston history! This stylish downtown condo has two well sized bedrooms and baths, deeded parking, or...
28 New Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19005105 / Sold
This historic 1800's home, located in the coveted South of Broad area of downtown Charleston, has been lovingly restored and updated. The classic ...
66 Lenwood Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19005179 / Sold
Surprise! A BRICK Georgian revival house South of Broad! In excellent condition! Your home awaits beyond the historic Philip Simmons gate, and is...
18 Council Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19005031 / Sold
This newly updated, light-filled three bedroom, two-and-a-half bath home is full of character, both old-fashioned and modern. With 9'+ ceilings on ...
38 Legare Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19004829 / Sold
This newly renovated, stunning, classic Charleston Single House circa 1867 is located on one of the premier streets in Charleston's historic, South...
63 Rutledge Avenue UNIT #25
Charleston, SC 29401
Berkeley Court
Residential
MLS# 19004563 / Sold
Walk everywhere from this Berkeley Court efficiency apartment. This fabulous Beaux Arts building is located across the street from Colonial Lake in...
90 Tradd Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Historic District
Residential
MLS# 19004554 / Sold
Beautiful Charleston single located South of Broad. 13 ft. above sea level. Located steps away from local restaurants and shopping. A three block...
9 Franklin Street UNIT C
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 19004536 / Sold
This charmer is worth a look! No interior pics as tenant requests privacy but this is adorable! Location cannot be beat for the price! Just off Bro...
117 Ashley Avenue UNIT C
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 19004535 / Sold
Walking distance to MUSC and the Dental College, Colonial Lake and King Street, 117 Ashley this exclusive lock and leave home is a one of a kind bl...
157 Wentworth Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 19004451 / Sold
Beautiful investment property downtown Charleston, with 6 separate units. Walking distance from MUSC and College of Charleston. 12-15 off street pa...
5 Gadsdenboro Street UNIT #506
Charleston, SC 29401
Gadsdenboro
Residential
MLS# 19004408 / Sold
NOW OPEN! Introducing The Gadsden, downtown Charleston's newest luxury condominium community. Situated next to the city's new Gadsdenboro Park, The...
5 Gadsdenboro Street UNIT #509
Charleston, SC 29401
Gadsdenboro
Residential
MLS# 19004407 / Sold
NOW OPEN! Introducing The Gadsden, downtown Charleston's newest luxury condominium community. Situated next to the city's new Gadsdenboro Park, The...
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 04-29-2024 8:56 PM EST .
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