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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32 1/2 Mary Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Wraggborough
Residential
MLS# 19021144 / Active
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! Don't Miss this Immaculately-Kept 3BR/3BA Hidden Gem in the Heart of Downtown Charleston, Situated between Bustling M...
1 Prices Alley
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19021117 / Active
A Great opportunity to enjoy total privacy in the middle of the South Of Broad Community. This magnificent home backs up to the quiet of Prices All...
59 Cannon Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 19021110 / Sold
sale purposes only. no off street parking. business not included in sale
49 Tradd Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19021065 / Active
Located in the renowned South of Broad neighborhood in downtown Charleston, this historic home has been totally renovated to meet today's lifestyle...
16 Bedons Alley
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19021016 / Active
16 Bedon's Alley c.1790,nestled on a quiet private street,reminiscent of an Italian walkway,is on one of the 8 original Alleys within the Old Walle...
50 Gadsden Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 19020998 / Active
Sitting in this living rm, the back deck & lg walled lush garden create a quiet tropical feeling. This Harleston Village townhouse is fee simple=no...
193 Broad Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19020939 / Active
This is your Opportunity to Own in an Incredible Victorian 4BR/3BA 2-Story Duplex Property in the Iconic South of Broad Community of Downtown Charl...
9 Sheppard Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 19020922 / Active
*EXCELLENT INVESTMENT - COLLEGE STUDENTS - PERSONAL USE - DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON* Total Renovation in 2014. Closely located to The Alley, Midtown, Re...
145 Coming Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
81 Ashley Avenue
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 19020834 / Active
PENTHOUSE!! This large sunlit historic 4 bedroom condo is in downtown Charleston. Perfect for those that want to be within walking and/or biking ...
19 Reid Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 19020720 / Active
Gorgeous new construction in a great walk-able area of downtown. East side is a trendy up and coming part of downtown Charleston. Come be a part of...
5 Motley Lane
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 19020712 / Active
One of a kind home in historic Ansonborough. This magnificent 3-story property combines a well built design coupled with clean contemporary lines. ...
257 Ashley Avenue
Charleston, SC 29403
Residential
MLS# 19020696 / Active
*Massive price adjustment* This historic 5 bedroom/4 full bathroom home is priced to sell! The home has all of the charm you would expect from the ...
Reduced -$100
9 West St
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 19020873 / Active
This charming pied-a-terre is nestled on a quiet street in the heart of Historic Downtown Charleston. It's located in a quiet neighborhood within w...
61 A Barre Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 19020456 / Active
Halsey Park has just released the first of two Town Homes, custom designed by BEAU CLOWNEY ARCHITECTS. Each has 3 BRs and 3.5 baths with over 3,000...
10 Rosemont Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Residential
MLS# 19020279 / Active
Attention! Investors and Buyers a Great Investment Opportunity to own or rent this property located in historic downtown Charleston. This property...
171 Jackson Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 19020242 / Active
Proposed construction downtown! Be among the first to get into this up and coming area close to the Cigar Factory, highway access and all that dow...
2 Harlem Court
Charleston, SC 29403
Wraggborough
Residential
MLS# 19020350 / Active
Quiet and private in the heart of downtown this single family home has two off street parking spots and a beautiful backyard living space. Large li...
2 Colonial Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19020199 / Active
An elegant Fitzsimons townhome is now available. Welcome to friendly Colonial Street - home to families of all ages. Take a short walk to the Bat...
23 Rutledge Avenue
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19020465 / Active
Estate Sale! South of Broad Fitzsimmons townhouse only steps away from Colonial Lake. Low maintenance, fee simple with no association fees. Private...
64 Lenwood Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19020178 / Active
If you want high end, luxurious, maintenance-free living in one of Downtown Charleston's most sought after neighborhoods just two blocks from The B...
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 07-19-2019 6:04 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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