What is the Story Behind Charleston Green?
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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135 S Battery
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 20009501 / Active
Set back from the street under the canopy of a gorgeous live oak, this brick Georgian Revival-style home situated on a double lot radiates classic ...
5 Sires Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 20009412 / Active
You can finally have that Historic Charleston home you've always wanted within a very short walking distance to so many places of entertainment and...
5 Gadsdenboro Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Gadsdenboro
Residential
MLS# 20009293 / Active
This gorgeous, brand new corner residence at The Gadsden boasts oversized windows overlooking Gadsdenboro Park and the Ravenel Bridge. With one of ...
178 Smith Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 20009267 / Active
Come see this beautiful historic home located in the heart of Elliotborough! This recently renovated 1859 Charleston single features 3 spacious bed...
81 Ashley Avenue
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 20009248 / Active
Welcome to 81 Ashley Ave! This restored & renovated condominium in the heart of Harleston Village is one block from beautiful Colonial Lake & has y...
259 East Bay Street UNIT 8 A
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 20009053 / Active
Spacious condominium on first floor. Fully updated with tile, hardwoods and carpet. New HVAC split system. Off street parking, security and swimmin...
243 Rutledge Avenue
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 20008891 / Active
Rare Bed and Breakfast for sale inside of the crosstown. This house has held a Bed and Breakfast license from the city of Charleston for the last ...
146 Coming Street UNIT B
Charleston, SC 29403
West Court
Residential
MLS# 20008800 / Active
2BR 1BA Bottom Floor condo -Great location within easy walking distance of MUSC and C of C and only a few blocks off King St.! Unit includes Privat...
230 Rutledge Avenue
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 20008626 / Active
A chance to be close to everything! This condo conversion offers the ambience of classic Charleston architecture including high ceilings, heart pi...
201 Rutledge Avenue
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 20008624 / Active
A very livable home in the most convenient neighborhood. Walk to MUSC and Roper Hospital. Walk to neighborhood eateries. This home was updated in...
51 S Battery Street UNIT 1/2
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 20008604 / Active
Circa 1830's this 1920 sq ft (approx.) home is located in a prime area of the historic Charleston peninsula. Perfectly situated on renowned South B...
29 Broad Street UNIT C
Charleston, SC 29401
Downtown
Residential
MLS# 20008577 / Active
As featured in the Post and Courier Located on prestigious and Historic Broad street downtown near the corner of East Bay, this opportunity is for...
175 Concord Street UNIT 103
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 20008462 / Active
Convenient French Quarter location across from The Cooper luxury hotel under construction adding new upscale amenities including a rooftop lounge,...
58 Gibbes Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 20008434 / Active
Copy Link for walkthrough video. https://vimeo.com/404630577 This South of Broad home with 4 Bedrooms and 4 1/2 baths is almost ready for you to c...
5 Gadsdenboro Street UNIT 306
Charleston, SC 29401
Gadsdenboro
Residential
MLS# 20008533 / Active
If you are looking for a turn-key package in the City voted No. 1 in the US, this third floor condo delivers it all! Wake up with the sunrise on yo...
13 Gibbes Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 20008366 / Active
Great location tucked away South of Broad with privacy fence surrounding the property. Beautiful open living areas. Spacious family room with gas...
2 President Place
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 20008334 / Active
Duplex and vacant lot! This is an excellent opportunity to own an income producing property in downtown Charleston as both units are currently leas...
76 Rutledge Avenue
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 20008329 / Active Contingent
1890 Charleston Single in immaculate move-in condition! Has an additional study,playroom,nursery room upstairs. Off street parking for 2 cars. The...
46-48 Smith Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 20008064 / Active
Excellent development opportunity in Harleston Village. 46-48 Smith Street is a beautiful old property consisting of .59 acres with 5 buildings: a ...
1 King Street UNIT 104
Charleston, SC 29401
Fort Sumter House
Residential
MLS# 20008157 / Active
This exquisite Charleston pied-a-terre is an extraordinary residence. It is located in the most prestigious neighborhood South of The Battery with ...
192 E Bay Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Residential
MLS# 20008105 / Active
This gorgeous condo was gutted by the previous owner and rebuilt from the studs outward. The floors are historical hardwoods as well as the firepla...
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 04-06-2020 7:01 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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