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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5.5-A Kracke Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 18026209 / Active
Welcome to 5 1/2 - A Kracke Street! This 2-bedroom condo is in a fantastic location walking distance to MUSC, Charleston School of Law, C of C and...
41 Barre Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 18026205 / Active
Exceptional and RARE OPPORTUNITY to own this classic home with the largest lot (.46 acre) on the CHARLESTON PENINSULA! Lovely Harleston Village is ...
150 Bee Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Bee Street Lofts
Residential
MLS# 18026202 / Active
This gorgeous industrial style loft includes contemporary finishes and opens directly onto the large courtyard offering incredible views of the Ash...
8 Sires Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 18026204 / Active
Don't miss your opportunity to preview this attractive Investment Duplex property located in the heart of Elliotborough and within steps of the Kin...
2 Franklin Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 18026208 / Active
This well maintained 5 bedroom home, circa 1890, is located in the historic district of downtown Charleston just steps from Broad Street and Burbag...
156 Smith Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 18026125 / Active
Ideally located within a five minute walk to MUSC, Charleston School of Law, College of Charleston, and King St, this attractive duplex is such a g...
181 Queen Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 18025892 / Active
***INCLUDES BAR APPROVED PLANS FOR 3 UNITS***Own a beautiful piece of history with this grand, Charleston-Single with views of Colonial Lake. Built...
174 Broad Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 18025884 / Active
Absolutely gorgeous historical down town home on Broad. Completely renovated 4 bedroom 4.5 bathroom by Cook Bonner Construction. Original hardwoods...
2 Wharfside Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Laurens Place
Residential
MLS# 18025856 / Active
One of only 4 Harbor-front units at Laurens Place. This 3rd floor residence has 180 degree+ views of the harbor, from the Ravenel Bridge to the ful...
276 Coming Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 18025824 / Active
INCREDIBLE LOCATION! One block from King Street & walking distance to beautiful, scenic, Hampton Park in downtown Charleston, this historic home ma...
Reduced -$10,000
202 Ashley Avenue
Charleston, SC 29403
Residential
MLS# 18025769 / Active
Beautiful and well-kept condominium home in prime downtown location! Seconds from MUSC, restaurants and entertainment, and convenient access to maj...
21 George Street
Charleston, SC 29401
George And Society
Residential
MLS# 18025750 / Active
Check out this gorgeous downtown Charleston condominium, whether you are looking short term or long term, this is an investment you can't turn down...
21 George Street
Charleston, SC 29401
George And Society
Residential
MLS# 18025949 / Active
THE ASSESSMENT HAS BEEN PAID IN FULL.This is truly what Charleston is made of. Gorgeous top floor unit in the much sought after George and Society...
77 King Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 18025650 / Active
Circa 1747, this gem is ideally located in the heart of Charleston's Historic District. The Captain Francis Baker House property is comprised of tw...
5 Gadsdenboro Street
Charleston, SC 29401
The Gadsden
Residential
MLS# 18025621 / Active
Introducing The Gadsden, downtown Charleston's newest luxury condominium community. Situated next to the city's new Gadsdenboro Park, The Gadsden w...
5 Gadsdenboro Street
Charleston, SC 29401
The Gadsden
Residential
MLS# 18025620 / Active
Introducing The Gadsden, downtown Charleston's newest luxury condominium community. Situated next to the city's new Gadsdenboro Park, The Gadsden w...
73 Pitt Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 18025611 / Active
The William Waller House, built between 1832-1840 is rich in history. Said to be built by Richard Holloway due to the Palladian window in the front...
15 Judith Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Wraggborough
Residential
MLS# 18025560 / Active
Built in 2009, this lovely 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath home is move-in ready. Three large, bright bedrooms each have fully updated baths. The 2nd level bed...
53 Warren Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 18025554 / Active
Light & bright Charleston Single House featuring two, 2 bedroom 1 bath, apartments. Includes off street parking, a lovely private courtyard and we...
286 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 18025535 / Active
286 Meeting Street is the grand brick home known as the Noyer-Wildhagen House. The impressive example of Federal architecture was built in 1807 and...
4 Savage Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 18025530 / Active
This South of Broad home offers historic features with modern amenities and has been pre-raised on recently re-pointed brick pillars. The granite 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 09-24-2018 8:03pm 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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