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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26 State Street
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 21009550 / Active
Behind the Iron Gates in the HISTORIC FRENCH QUARTER, this serene retreat is a HOME that warms the heart and captivates the soul. Built in 1841, i...
206 Passerelle Court
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 21009533 / Active
Brilliant opportunity at The Charles for Charleston's only new construction waterfront residences in the Historic District. Overlooking the Ashley ...
222 Passerelle Court
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 21009538 / Active
Brilliant opportunity at The Charles for Charleston's only new construction waterfront residences in the Historic District. Overlooking the Ashley ...
213 Passerelle Court
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 21009524 / Active
Brilliant opportunity at The Charles for Charleston's only new construction waterfront residences in the Historic District. Overlooking the Ashley ...
14 Lockwood Drive UNIT 11 L
Charleston, SC 29401
Ashley House
Residential
MLS# 21009467 / Active
Spacious condominium located on the 11th floor of the Ashley House overlooking the Ashley River and the Marina. Panoramic views. Fully updated kitc...
264 Rutledge Avenue
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 21009410 / Active
Peninsula of Charleston, below Crosstown location. 4 two bedroom, one bath, separately metered units available for sale. Total 8 bedrooms, 4 baths,...
52 S Battery Street UNIT G
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 21009416 / Active
This wonderful condominium is situated in a fabulous location on South Battery in the highly coveted South of Broad neighborhood. The two-bedroom c...
110& 110.5 King Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 21009339 / Active
*Off Street Parking Available * This gorgeous home with carriage house is offered 200k below last appraisal. 5 beds, 4 1/2 baths. Built in the 1800...
77 Pitt Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 21009327 / Active
Fantastic property with tremendous rental history grossing 142,200 in annual income/ / insurance 11,850.00/ property taxes/ 20,562.00 / with lease...
275 Coming Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 21009288 / Active
Location, location, location! Just a few short blocks from MUSC, the colleges, medical facilities, shopping and dining, you can enjoy downtown Char...
9 Bogard Street UNIT 6 (F)
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 21009242 / Active
Great Opportunity to Own Your Own Charleston Investment. Block and half away from King St. Unit 6 (F) includes New HVAC Unit (4 years), Beautiful H...
Reduced -$10,000
8 Council Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 21009246 / Active
Beautifully renovated and tastefully decorated move in ready Charleston single on one of South of Broad's most charming streets! Perfect as a prima...
10 Colonial Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 21009188 / Active Contingent
This picturesque 4 bedroom/3.5 bath South of Broad home has been meticulously updated and maintained. Well located near Colonial Lake Park and the ...
11 Kirkland Lane
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 21009161 / Active Contingent
Charleston Downtown Charmer is in a great location just off King, near Colonial lake, College of Charleston, MUSC and just a few yards down to a s...
50 Morris Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 21009152 / Active
Situated on a quaint street flanked by MUSC, as well as the College of Charleston, the location is prime. The neighborhood is known for its swanky ...
214 Calhoun Street UNIT #3
Charleston, SC 29401
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 21009137 / Active Contingent
This unit is one of seven condominiums located in the circa 1834 Frederick Shaffer House. Soaring 13' ceilings with elegant period plasterwork, ori...
92 King Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 21009061 / Active
Restoration opportunity located South of Broad. This stucco over solid brick residence features high ceilings, hardwood floors and exposed brick w...
38 Gibbes Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 21008938 / Active Contingent
South of Broad's most charming bungalow, this home sits at the corner of Council and Gibbes Street, only one block from Charleston's lovely waterfr...
230 Rutledge Avenue
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 21009029 / Active
Charming newly renovated condo in a lovely building circa 1900 just above Spring St. Off street parking and you can walk everywhere! Just a few blo...
233 Ashley Avenue UNIT A & B
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough
Residential
MLS# 21008957 / Active
LICENSED B&B! Built in 1852, this home just underwent a full ''to the studs'' renovation completed in AUGUST 2020. This 5BR/5.5BA gem is a MUST SEE...
75 Bull Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 21008910 / Active Contingent
For the discerning buyer seeking a handsome, completely updated, traditional masonry home in Historic Downtown Charleston, 75 Bull Street presents ...
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 04-13-2021 12:05 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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