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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3 Queen Street UNIT #209
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 24021901 / Active
3 Queens Gate is located in a circa 1885 warehouse that was constructed in a classical revival style by the antebellum architect, Francis Lee, acco...
1 Bee Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Residential
MLS# 24021615 / Active
Welcome home to 1 Bee Street! Built in 1900 this is ideally located in a wonderful neighborhood quietly situated between Rutledge & Ashley Avenues....
80 Smith Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 24021687 / Active
CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION! A renewed and redesigned home brought to you by Cozy Development. Nestled in the heart of Harleston Village, this pre...
284 Meeting Street UNIT #203
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 24021366 / Active
Nestled within the heart of downtown Charleston's historic district, this exclusive new construction project introduces six meticulously crafted lu...
284 Meeting Street UNIT #303
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 24021371 / Active
Nestled within the heart of downtown Charleston's historic district, this exclusive new construction project introduces six meticulously crafted lu...
284 Meeting Street UNIT #302
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 24021370 / Active Contingent
Nestled within the heart of downtown Charleston's historic district, this exclusive new construction project introduces six meticulously crafted lu...
284 Meeting Street UNIT #301
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 24021369 / Active
Nestled within the heart of downtown Charleston's historic district, this exclusive new construction project introduces six meticulously crafted lu...
284 Meeting Street UNIT #201
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 24021364 / Active
Nestled within the heart of downtown Charleston's historic district, this exclusive new construction project introduces six meticulously crafted lu...
284 Meeting Street UNIT #202
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 24021365 / Active
Nestled within the heart of downtown Charleston's historic district, this exclusive new construction project introduces six meticulously crafted lu...
Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Residential
MLS# 24021324 / Active
Welcome to your dream one-bedroom apartment located on the bustling King Street in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina! This stunning apartment...
33 Lockwood Drive UNIT Slip I-14
Charleston, SC 29401
The Harborage At Ashley Marina
Residential
MLS# 24021119 / Active
Ashley Marina The Harborage in Downtown CharlestonBeautiful location on the Ashley River with true deep waterOUTSIDE SLIP with no boats behind slip...
8 Smith Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 24020991 / Active
Located in the heart of Harleston Village, this charming home offers an inviting escape in the heart of the city with a 3 bedroom/4 bath main house...
85 Cumberland Street UNIT #3
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 24021144 / Active
Beautifully maintained one bedroom condominium located at Markets Gate in the historic French Quarter neighborhood. This residence features high ce...
30 Sheppard Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 24021006 / Active Contingent
This stunning historic home was built in 1890 and completely renovated in 2019 to provide modern amenities while carefully preserving the original ...
142 Line Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 24020898 / Active Contingent
Dazzling design and classic Charleston charm resound! This completely remodeled Charleston pied-a-terre was expertly completed by interior designer...
12 Murray Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 24020670 / Active Contingent
This charming residence overlooking the Ashley River was built in 1916 on the newly created Murray Boulevard. The curvilinear-gable-ended house is ...
173 Rutledge Avenue UNIT S
Charleston, SC 29403
Rutledge Green
Residential
MLS# 24020662 / Active
Location most just dream of having in historic downtown! Walking distance to the College of Charleston, MUSC, Shopping & restaurants. Move in ready...
Reduced -$40,000
6 President Place
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 24020608 / Active
Welcome to 6 President Place, a historic gem nestled in the heart of Charleston's vibrant Cannonborough-Elliotborough neighborhood. Built in 1872, ...
5 Gadsdenboro Street UNIT #410
Charleston, SC 29401
Gadsdenboro
Residential
MLS# 24020707 / Active
Enjoy luxury living in the heart of Downtown Charleston at The Gadsden! A former model home, Residence no. 410 boasts wide views of the Charleston ...
2 Harleston Place
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 24020522 / Active
You must see this incredible transformation! Recent and total renovation, everything completed to the highest level of quality. Trim and moulding, ...
108 Smith Street UNIT D
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffe Square
Residential
MLS# 24020547 / Active
Charming and incredibly convenient home for someone in search of a retreat within the city or full-time residence conveniently located to some of C...
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 08-31-2024 11:50 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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