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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78 Queen
Charleston, SC 29401
Residential
MLS# 20019324 / Active
Welcome to 78 Queen Street - Charleston's most Charming, Romantic & highly sought after B&B... The Elliott House Inn! Villa #24 is a Courtyard king...
65 Gibbes Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 20019256 / Active
This extensively renovated South of Broad home is sure to impress. 65 Gibbes was re-designed and renovated in 2016 by renowned architect Eddie Fav...
87 East Bay Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 20019237 / Active
The James Gordon House. Circa 1780. Fabulous, recently renovated condominium within a grand 18th century Georgian residence. Entry hall elevator or...
4 Wentworth Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 20019239 / Active
What a sophisticated transformation! Recently completed extensive renovation on this late 19c Charleston Single house. Located in the heart of hist...
89 Line Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 20019228 / Active
Great location one block from upper King Street and walking distance to numerous shops and restaurants. 1872 historical cottage completely restored...
38 Ashley Avenue UNIT B
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 20019214 / Active
This beautiful, South of Broad second-floor condominium offers views of the city park Horse Lot and Colonial Lake. You will be delighted with the s...
85 Line Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 20019157 / Active
Beautifully renovated cottage located in the heart of Elliotborough (Short-Term Rental Overlay). This stunning SHORT-TERM RENTAL ELIGIBLE property ...
143 Bull Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 20019155 / Active
NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK HERE! EVERY BEDROOM HAS A PRIVATE BATH! Located in highly coveted Harleston Village, 143 Bull Street is a student's dream home...
32 Vendue Range UNIT 300
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 20019113 / Active
THE BEST location at East Bay & Vendue Range in the French Quarter, between The Market and Broad Street, just steps away from award-winning restaur...
330 Concord Street UNIT 10h
Charleston, SC 29401
Dockside
Residential
MLS# 20019090 / Active
This Exquisite and Renovated Modern downtown, Waterfront Condo is the only fully integrated smart home with the low voltage Colorbeam LED lighting ...
25 John Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Wraggborough
Residential
MLS# 20019085 / Active
LOCATION at its best. Historic 1800's Charleston Single located in one of the most desirable neighborhoods downtown and situated on high ground in ...
2 Wharfside Street UNIT 5-W
Charleston, SC 29401
Laurens Place
Residential
MLS# 20019062 / Active
Unmatched panoramic views of the Charleston Harbor, Arthur Ravenel Bridge and beyond to the Atlantic await you at 5W, a sleek and elegant minimalis...
33 Lockwood UNIT H16
Charleston, SC 29401
The Harborage At Ashley Marina
Residential
MLS# 20019004 / Active
Great opportunity, great location! 50' Slip H-16 offers easy ingress and egress and is a fantastic location in the Ashley Marina! Established rent...
23 Felix Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough
Residential
MLS# 20018981 / Active
Move-in ready Charleston single-style home with 3 outdoor living spaces - including a rooftop patio - within walking distance of downtown Charlesto...
81 Spring Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 20018958 / Active Contingent
limited business zoned STR triplex
32 Vendue Range UNIT 404
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 20018896 / Active
Located in the heart and soul of Charleston. This quaint studio apartment provides access to all that Charleston has to offer. Walk to the battery,...
78 Halsey Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 20018747 / Active
Located in the heart of Downtown Charleston, 78 Halsey presents a rare opportunity for this Bill Huey + Associates design and Bennett-Hofford built...
31 Hillary Court
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 20018733 / Active
This two bedroom home is nestled in the heart of Radcliffeborough and close to the medical district and Marion Square, as well as, many shopping an...
109 East Bay Street UNIT 2b
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 20018662 / Active
Gorgeous 2nd floor loft from 1909 in prime South of Broad location! Located in the historic Printers Row building, this unit has been beautifully ...
46 Halsey Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 20018640 / Active Contingent
This is a rare opportunity to own one of the newest built yet oldest looking homes on the peninsula. With unobstructed views of the City Marina Meg...
1 Gray Court
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 20018643 / Active
Welcome to 1 Gray Court which features a 2043sqft main house with 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, a separate play/office room and 322sqft of covered porches P...
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 07-14-2020 2:03 PM EST .
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