What is the Story Behind Charleston Green?

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 Photos 330 Concord Street UNIT 12 C Charleston, SC 29401

330 Concord Street UNIT 12 C
Charleston, SC 29401
Dockside
Residential

MLS# 23027213 / Active
2 br, 2 ba, 1219 Sqft

Enjoy views of Charleston Harbor and the Ravenel Bridge from this 2 bedroom, 2 bath corner unit condominium for sale. Dockside 12C features 2 balco... 

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$550,000
Provided courtesy of Disher Hamrick & Myers Res Inc
22 Photos 2 Laurens Street UNIT 1-E Charleston, SC 29401

2 Laurens Street UNIT 1-E
Charleston, SC 29401
Gadsdenboro
Residential

MLS# 23027176 / Active
1 br, 1 ba, 1 Half Bath, 1610 Sqft

Enjoy luxury one-floor condominium living historic downtown Charleston in this generous 1,600 square foot residence with an on-site concierge, off-... 

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$899,000
Provided courtesy of King and Society Real Estate
3 Photos 12 Trumbo Street Charleston, SC 29401

12 Trumbo Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential

MLS# 23027187 / Active Contingent
3 br, 3 ba, 2102 Sqft

This wonderfully maintained home in Harleston Village offers wide double porches, a beautifully landscaped garden and spacious side by side off str... 

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$1,475,000
Provided courtesy of John Poston & Company, Inc.
46 Photos 348 King Street UNIT L Charleston, SC 29401

348 King Street UNIT L
Charleston, SC 29401
Downtown
Residential

MLS# 23026977 / Active Contingent
2 br, 1 ba, 1 Half Bath, 1200 Sqft

Enter the realm of this perfect Pied-a-Terre from 1830, a wonder reborn in the heart of enchanting Downtown Charleston, nestled on the iconic King ... 

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$1,049,000
Provided courtesy of Smith Spencer Real Estate
35 Photos 121 Coming Street Charleston, SC 29403

121 Coming Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential

MLS# 23026932 / Active
6 br, 4 ba, 2194 Sqft

1.5 Blocks to the College of Charleston Library...Location! Location! Location!DUPLEX....3 BRS/2 Baths Upstairs 3 BRS/ 2 Baths DownstairsCurrent In... 

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$1,250,000
Provided courtesy of Carolina One Real Estate
48 Photos 330 Concord Street UNIT 18f Charleston, SC 29401

330 Concord Street UNIT 18f
Charleston, SC 29401
Dockside
Residential

MLS# 23026922 / Active
2 br, 2 ba, 1 Half Bath, 2425 Sqft

Two level penthouse unit with wide northern views of the Cooper River and Ravenel Bridge. Unit has been intelligently renovated with transitional d... 

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$2,495,000
Provided courtesy of The Exchange Company, LLC
25 Photos 84 Bull Street UNIT D Charleston, SC 29401

84 Bull Street UNIT D
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential

MLS# 23026860 / Active
2 br, 1 ba, 1017 Sqft

Located in the highly sought-after Harleston Village, a sunlit 2-bedroom condominium is the perfect home or pied-a-terre. Enjoy walking to Charlest... 

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$675,000
Provided courtesy of The Exchange Company, LLC
30 Photos 29 Broad Street UNIT C Charleston, SC 29401

29 Broad Street UNIT C
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential

MLS# 23026828 / Active
3 br, 3 ba, 1 Half Bath, 2500 Sqft

Imagine owning a piece of Charleston history, a seldom-seen opportunity to purchase a portion of the historic McCauley Davis Building. Sitting amid... 

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$3,250,000
Provided courtesy of Riverland Realty
26 Photos 30 Dereef Court Charleston, SC 29403

30 Dereef Court
Charleston, SC 29403
Morris Square
Residential

MLS# 23026781 / Active Contingent
3 br, 2 ba, 1 Half Bath, 1425 Sqft

Welcome home to 30 Dereef Ct! Modern, updated living in the heart of downtown Charleston's Morris Square. The living area is flooded with natural l... 

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$895,000
Provided courtesy of Carolina One Real Estate
26 Photos 295 King UNIT B-3 Charleston, SC 29401

295 King UNIT B-3
Charleston, SC 29401
Residential

MLS# 23026712 / Active
2 br, 1 ba, 1059 Sqft

Enjoy all of that Historic Downtown Charleston, voted Best In The U.S. for the 11th year in a row, has to offer within walking distance! This fully... 

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$629,000
Provided courtesy of EXP Realty LLC
39 Photos 44 Charlotte Street UNIT D Charleston, SC 29403

44 Charlotte Street UNIT D
Charleston, SC 29403
Wraggborough
Residential

MLS# 23026685 / Active
2 br, 1 ba, 1 Half Bath, 1238 Sqft

Circa 1834 KITCHEN HOUSE OF THE WILLIAM HENRY HOUSTON HOUSE. 44 Charlotte Street is on very high ground with no requirement for flood insurance. It... 

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$975,000
Provided courtesy of Carriage Properties LLC
39 Photos 14 Humphrey Court Charleston, SC 29403

14 Humphrey Court
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliotborough
Residential

MLS# 23026723 / Active
4 br, 3 ba, 1713 Sqft

Welcome to Charleston's epitome of Southern charm and modern living! Newly built in 2019, this 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom gem in Elliotsborough is less ... 

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$950,000
Provided courtesy of Factotum Real Estate, LLC
41 Photos 178 Wentworth Street Charleston, SC 29401

178 Wentworth Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential

MLS# 23026631 / Active
4 br, 2 ba, 1 Half Bath, 2427 Sqft

Make offer! Seller ready to move .Circa 1830. They don't build them like this any more! Renovated without taking the historic charm or loosing arch... 

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$1,399,000
Provided courtesy of Beach Residential
25 Photos 190 Coming Street Charleston, SC 29403

190 Coming Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential

MLS# 23026607 / Active
n/a br, n/a ba, 1 Half Bath, 400 Sqft

Rare opportunity to own multiple units in downtown Charleston on a large lot!Positioned within the short-term rental overlay, this property boasts ... 

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$1,700,000
Provided courtesy of Three Real Estate LLC
53 Photos 32 Church Street Charleston, SC 29401

32 Church Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential

MLS# 23026621 / Active
4 br, 4 ba, 1 Half Bath, 3252 Sqft

Circa 1804--The Lindsay Fowler House. Prime, quiet lower Church Street location. This fine South of Broad home was beautifully restored, including ... 

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$3,100,000
Provided courtesy of Carriage Properties LLC
75 Photos 181 Queen Street Charleston, SC 29401

181 Queen Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential

MLS# 23026563 / Active
6 br, 7 ba, 1 Half Bath, 3506 Sqft

Step into a piece of Charleston history the St. Amand/ Aimar house at 181 Queen Street was built in 1841, the same year the Charleston City Market ... 

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$3,425,000
Provided courtesy of Luxury Simplified Real Estate, INC
33 Photos 43 Charlotte Street Charleston, SC 29403

43 Charlotte Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Wraggborough
Residential

MLS# 23026564 / Active
8 br, 9 ba, 6749 Sqft

Beautiful Greek Revival, the William A. Hussey house, located in the heart of Wraggborough circa 1849, has been meticulously restored per National ... 

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$3,449,000
Provided courtesy of Luxury Simplified Real Estate, INC
52 Photos 18 Broad Street UNIT #501 Charleston, SC 29401

18 Broad Street UNIT #501
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential

MLS# 23026506 / Active Contingent
3 br, 3 ba, 3023 Sqft

 

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$4,300,000
Provided courtesy of Carriage Properties LLC
2 Photos 33 Lockwood Drive UNIT Lu66 Charleston, SC 29401

33 Lockwood Drive UNIT Lu66
Charleston, SC 29401
The Harborage At Ashley Marina
Residential

MLS# 23026363 / Pending
n/a br, n/a ba, n/a Sqft

This slip is E-9 is 45 x 17.5 at The Harborage at Ashley Marina in downtown beautiful Charleston SC. Marina has water, 50 amp electrical, waste pum... 

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$82,000
Provided courtesy of Brand Name Real Estate
52 Photos 5 Gadsdenboro Street UNIT #409 Charleston, SC 29401

5 Gadsdenboro Street UNIT #409
Charleston, SC 29401
Gadsdenboro
Residential

MLS# 23026340 / Active
2 br, 2 ba, 1272 Sqft

Welcome home to The Gadsden, downtown Charleston's most luxurious condominium community! Situated next to the city's new Gadsdenboro Park, The Gads... 

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$1,190,000
Provided courtesy of The Pulse Charleston
23 Photos 9 Lamboll Street Charleston, SC 29401

9 Lamboll Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential

MLS# 23026299 / Active Contingent
2 br, 1 ba, 1072 Sqft

Charming historic home in excellent South of Broad Location on Lamboll St. Fabulous two Bedroom home with off street parking that is move in ready.... 

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$1,200,000
Provided courtesy of Carolina One Real Estate
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Broker Reciprocity 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 12-04-2023 11:06 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. Copyright 2023 Charleston Trident Multiple Listing Service, Inc. All rights reserved.
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