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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330 Concord Street UNIT 14 A
Charleston, SC 29401
Dockside
Residential
MLS# 22030106 / Active
AN INVESTORS TREASURE! A very sophisticated stunner on the 14th floor southern, uninterrupted views to Patriot's Point, Sullivan's Island, Fort Su...
146 Simons Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Wagener Terrace
Residential
MLS# 22030094 / Active
This is a wonderfully renovated Wagener Terrace home in a great location with a large .19 acre lot bordered by a nature area for extra privacy. Thi...
5 President Place
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 22030078 / Active
Location, location, location. This Cannonborough-Elliottbourough location is waiting for your complete renovation. The property is within walking d...
13 Colonial Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 22030011 / Active
Come and see this recently updated Colonial Revival located steps away from Colonial Lake! Kitchen and Bathrooms all renovated in 2018. When enteri...
11 Iron Forge Alley
Charleston, SC 29403
City of Charleston
Residential
MLS# 22029883 / Active
What once was an actual iron forge in the 1700's, is now this stunning new development of 12 well appointed luxury homes! This development offers 1...
Increase +$20,000
13 Iron Forge
Charleston, SC 29403
City of Charleston
Residential
MLS# 22029888 / Active
What once was an actual iron forge in the 1700's, is now this stunning new development of 12 well appointed luxury homes! This development offers 1...
151 Wentworth Street UNIT 1b
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 22029879 / Active
Own your very own piece of Historic Downtown Charleston! FULLY RENOVATED AND MOVE IN READY WITH A PARKING SPACE INCLUDED! Built in 1849 by Wealthy ...
26 Water Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 22029869 / Active
The house was built in 1986 and made to look like a colonial home. Historic architectural details include brick facade with red metal roof and fro...
7 Wentworth Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 22029751 / Active
This gorgeous turn-key, two story brick row home is located in Charleston's most charming neighborhood, Historic Ansonborough. Charleston charm exu...
150 Bee Street UNIT #310
Charleston, SC 29401
Bee Street Lofts
Residential
MLS# 22029701 / Active
A rare opportunity! Unit 310 is the finest THREE bedroom at Bee Street Lofts to hit the market in a few years. This updated 3 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom...
20 Sheppard Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Residential
MLS# 22029873 / Active Contingent
Unique opportunity to own a special piece of Eastside Charleston history with a modern, updated/refurbished home. Welcome to 20 Sheppard Street! Me...
33 Lockwood Drive UNIT B-12
Charleston, SC 29401
The Harborage at Ashley Marina
Residential
MLS# 22029635 / Active
Great 40 x 18 ft slip. Interior Face-Dock side-tie. No boats on either side of you!!!!The Marina has IPE docks, upgraded electrical to 30 & 50 AMP...
330 Concord Street UNIT Th19
Charleston, SC 29401
Dockside
Residential
MLS# 22029561 / Active
Experience fine waterfront living in this 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath townhouse in Dockside Condominiums in downtown Charleston. One of only 5 townhomes th...
118 Smith Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 22029510 / Active Contingent
Offered for the first time in 25 years you are invited to consider 118 Smith St. A home that sits on a large lot in the heart of Radcliffeborough a...
169 1/2 Tradd Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 22029499 / Active
Welcome home to your stunning second floor condo South of Broad. The owner has spared no expense doing a meticulous renovation on this historic pro...
71 Vanderhorst Street UNIT A, B, C
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 22029449 / Active
Calling all investors! This triplex is the perfect opportunity to live in one unit and rent out the other 2. The property has been updated and main...
82 Nassau Street
Charleston, SC 29403
City of Charleston
Residential
MLS# 22029446 / Active Contingent
This Historic Charleston home, built in 1870, was completely renovated in 2019. Enjoy all the charm of Charleston architecture, with all the amenit...
14 Gadsden Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 22029457 / Active
Located in Historic Downtown Charleston within the sought after Neighborhood of Harleston Village, is this magnificent 3 Story Charleston Side Hall...
Reduced -$200,000
14 Logan Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 22029416 / Active
Fine 1870's Charleston single with gracious double piazzas, first floor bedroom with sitting room, an oversized deep and private lot, with the bonu...
33 Ashley Avenue
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 22029337 / Active
This lovely FURNISHED South of Broad two-bedroom end unit townhouse is located across from Colonial Lake and just a few blocks from the Battery, Ra...
96 Queen Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 22029202 / Active Contingent
This fabulous, renovated, turn-key home features 3 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms, and exudes Charleston charm with original heart pine floors, expo...
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