What is the Story Behind Charleston Green? - Page 118
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 #219
Charleston, SC 29401
Gadsdenboro
Residential
MLS# 19001874 / Sold
NOW OPEN! Introducing The Gadsden, downtown Charleston's newest luxury condominium community. Situated next to the city's new Gadsdenboro Park, The...
53 South Battery Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19001742 / Sold
PRICE REDUCTION! Reside in Charleston's most coveted neighborhood, South of Broad. 53 S. Battery is a fully renovated, turn-key FitzSimons townhous...
51 Laurens Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 19001752 / Sold
Beautiful Charleston Single House in the desirable Ansonborough neighborhood in Downtown Charleston. Built in 1805, this home is the perfect marri...
5 Gadsdenboro Street UNIT #516
Charleston, SC 29401
Gadsdenboro
Residential
MLS# 19001654 / Sold
Luxurious 5th floor condo with views of the new Gadsdenboro Park! Imagine yourself living in the heart of downtown Charleston, strolling to the far...
85 Cumberland Street UNIT #17
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 19001507 / Sold
This second floor apartment has beautiful views of Saint Philips Church and churchyard. With practically floor to ceiling windows in each room ther...
346 King Street UNIT E
Charleston, SC 29401
Downtown
Residential
MLS# 19001564 / Sold
RARE FIND in the heart of downtown Charleston! This 2nd floor condo (top floor) is the perfect pied-a-terre, located above shopping on historic Ki...
103 Church Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19001568 / Sold
Truly a rare historic offering in the heart of 18th century ''South of Broad'' Charleston. This fine, multi-unit building (6 meters) features elega...
330 Concord Street UNIT 18c And 19c
Charleston, SC 29401
Dockside
Residential
MLS# 19001441 / Sold
Best views in all of Charleston!! This penthouse unit is on the top two floors on the Southwest Corner of the building. Enjoy the amazing waterfron...
330 Concord Street UNIT 18 E
Charleston, SC 29401
Dockside
Residential
MLS# 19001247 / Sold
Dramatic 2-story penthouse on the 18th and 19th floors of Dockside Condominiums. Enjoy panoramic views of downtown Charleston, the South Carolina A...
6 Peele Place
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Green
Residential
MLS# 19001187 / Sold
In the heart of Harleston Village, near the Medical University, Roper Hospital, restaurants, and shopping is this beautifully done townhouse with t...
53 Montagu Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 19001099 / Sold
Welcome to 53 Montagu! 53 Montagu is a gorgeous brick home centrally located in one of the most sought after neighborhoods on the Peninsula, Harle...
84 King Street UNIT 1/3 A
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19001178 / Sold
The perfect pied-a-terre for the discerning buyer, this charming South of Broad home is tucked back among grand oaks off lower King Street. Sited ...
34 Montagu Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 19001013 / Sold
Recently featured on HGTV! Beautifully renovated ground floor flat with no historical flooding issues. Picturesque location in Harleston Village as...
5 Gadsdenboro Street UNIT #508
Charleston, SC 29401
Gadsdenboro
Residential
MLS# 19001066 / Sold
Elegant top floor condominium overlooking the river. LOWEST ASKING PRICE PER SQUARE FOOT at The Gadsden. Great location within walking distance to...
11 Smith Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 19001047 / Sold
Centrally located in downtown Charleston, two blocks off Broad St. and around the corner from Colonial Lake! This home boasts a location that allow...
33 Pitt Street UNIT #12
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 19000929 / Sold
Located in the heart of downtown Charleston, this second floor condo is walking distance to CofC, MUSC, CSOL, and King Street. Charming 1 bedroom,...
8 Elliott Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19000639 / Sold
Charming South of Broad residence with numerous possibilities. This home currently has two separate entrances. One on Elliott opens to an absolute...
48 Warren Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 19000535 / Sold
This turn of the Century, three-bedroom Downtown Charleston home sits on high ground overlooking the Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul, in the hea...
23 Queen Street UNIT E
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 19001031 / Sold
Listed as Post Revolutionary / Notable in ''This is Charleston''. Here is your opportunity to own the perfect pied-a-terre in the heart of the Fren...
73 Rutledge Avenue
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 19000143 / Sold
One of Charleston's most stately homes, the Whilden-Hirsch house was built in 1856. The house was extensively remodeled in 2014 w/ adl. removations...
44 Hasell Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 19000051 / Sold
Located in the original neighborhood of Ansonborough, the James Stocker House built between 1840-1842 is one of a kind! Constructed of Philadelphia...
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