What is the Story Behind Charleston Green? - Page 115
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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5 Gadsdenboro Street UNIT #211
Charleston, SC 29401
Gadsdenboro
Residential
MLS# 19004410 / 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 #505
Charleston, SC 29401
Gadsdenboro
Residential
MLS# 19004409 / Sold
NOW OPEN! Introducing The Gadsden, downtown Charleston's newest luxury condominium community. Situated next to the city's new Gadsdenboro Park, The...
19 Ascot Alley
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Green
Residential
MLS# 19004356 / Sold
There is an additional 680 square foot lower level which is NOT included in total square footage listed. This lower level is fully finished and off...
23 Queen Street UNIT F
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 19004192 / Sold
This French Quarter condo is located in one of Charleston's most historic neighborhoods. With dining and shopping just steps away from this darling...
41 America Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Residential
MLS# 19004160 / Sold
NEW CONSTRUCTION DOWNTOWN!! Have you ever wanted to live downtown surrounded by all of the charm that Charleston has to offer but didn't want the u...
33 Lockwood Drive UNIT H-10
Charleston, SC 29401
The Harborage At Ashley Marina
Residential
MLS# 19004113 / Sold
Great wet boat slip opportunity downtown Charleston SC. Nice 55 ft x 18 ft boat slip in The Harborage on Ashley Marina. 4 star rated (ActiveCaptain...
33 Lockwood Drive UNIT H-12
Charleston, SC 29401
The Harborage At Ashley Marina
Residential
MLS# 19004106 / Sold
Great wet boat slip opportunity downtown Charleston SC. Nice 55 ft x 18 ft boat slip in The Harborage on Ashley Marina. 4 star rated (ActiveCaptain...
232 Rutledge Avenue
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 19003826 / Sold
CHARLESTON SINLE HOME WITH ADDITIONAL CARRIAGE HOUSE! Full of historic charm, the main house features original fireplaces, exposed brick, original ...
12 Percy Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 19003716 / Sold
12 Percy Street is a hidden gem: a substantial home (over 2200 square feet) with two porches on a quiet street, centrally located in one of downto...
104 Rutledge Avenue
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 19003559 / Sold
The Thomas Bannister Seabrook House circa 1816 is in a prime Harleston Village location with no flooding in all most recent storms. The home featur...
21 Colonial Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19003808 / Sold
The 1920s charm of 21 Colonial Street is evident from the entry hall with its inlaid hardwood floors, fanlight over the front door, nice moldings, ...
1 Aston Place
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Green
Residential
MLS# 19003509 / Sold
This downtown townhome offers a convenient and central location. It sits off of Rutledge Avenue yet is tucked into Harleston Green. The end-unit ...
24 Line Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 19003487 / Sold
Built in 2015, this attractive single family home located just steps from Meeting & Upper King Streets within the Opportunity Zone features 4 bedro...
33 Pitt Street UNIT 4 W/ Parking
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 19003372 / Sold
Extremely well-priced! Excellent Location! Easy to show. Beautiful renovated second-floor condo, south facing with great light in the main building...
150 Cannon Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough
Residential
MLS# 19002731 / Sold
Location, walkability, OPPORTUNITY!!! CLOSE to MUSC, CofC, Downtown businesses, the marina and of course the incredible downtown restaurants. No fl...
63 Rutledge Avenue UNIT #23
Charleston, SC 29401
Berkeley Court
Residential
MLS# 19002599 / Sold
Lovely light filled 2nd floor condo with renovated kitchen and bath across the street from Colonial Lake. Berkeley Court is one of Charleston's few...
168 Tradd Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19002588 / Sold
Beautiful & fully renovated, home in Historic Charleston. The ground floor is an apartment with a full kitchen and living area, 2 bedrooms and 2 ba...
84 Bull Street UNIT D
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 19002501 / Sold
A True Gem!! Corner of Rutledge and Bull. The floor plan encompasses two spacious bedrooms with plenty of room for study, sleep and storage, a luxu...
Legare Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19002421 / Sold
Legare Street is one of the peninsula's most beloved streets. This fabulously charming pied-a-terre is just north of South Battery and just a short...
275 Coming Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 19002312 / Sold
A historic 1872 'Charleston Single' style, pied-a-terre, Elliotborough home showcases an amazing 2018 renovation. Historical features include a tra...
26 Queen Street
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 19002365 / Sold
Circa 1790, William Johnson House. Classic French Quarter Row home, offers a separate 2BD guest cottage across a private rear courtyard (main house...
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