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 Legare Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19031888 / Active
This charming Carriage House style home is located on one of historic Charleston's most prestigious streets. Tucked away from the street, the Loutr...
33 Lockwood Drive
Charleston, SC 29401
The Harborage At Ashley Marina
Residential
MLS# 19031803 / Active
40 f boa slip a the Harborage At the Ashley marina. Located near Historic Downtown Charleston
201 Coming Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 19031740 / Active
Traditional Charleston single house with good bones in Cannonborough-Elliotborough. The owners restored this home for their own personal use years ...
330 Concord Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Dockside
Residential
MLS# 19031717 / Active
Open loft condo in Dockside overlooking Charleston Harbor. Stylish upfittings create a living space equally as beautiful as its panoramic views. Ha...
4 Beaufain Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Downtown
Residential
MLS# 19031611 / Active
Located in the heart of Downtown Charleston, this sophisticated condo is what you have been looking for. Thoroughly renovated over the last severa...
271 Coming Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 19031877 / Active
Great Opportunity to own a completely renovated 3 bed 3 bath home downtown. The home has a modern floor plan with first floor full bathroom wet-roo...
2 Poulnot Lane
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 19031563 / Active Contingent
Immaculate, turnkey townhouse conveniently situated in the heart of the historic district of Downtown Charleston, that has experienced no flood dam...
12 Harleston Place
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Place
Residential
MLS# 19031505 / Active
With views of the Ashley River from this downtown Charleston townhome, this is a home & location you will LOVE! Three levels of living all begin af...
253 Rutledge Avenue
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 19031448 / Active
Bright, sunny and beautifully renovated condominium located in a charming Victorian house. Notable features include pine floors, 10' ceilings, subs...
272 Coming Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 19031527 / Active
Are you looking for a historic Four Square home in Charleston's hottest neighborhood? Then you have to check out 272 Coming Street. This Home nee...
377 King Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Downtown
Residential
MLS# 19031206 / Active
COMPLETELY REMODELED AND MOVE-IN READY! Urban and chic, this two bedroom apartment is centrally located in the heart of downtown Charleston at the ...
5 Ladson Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19031197 / Active
Circa 1894, this wonderful home is on one of the quietest South of Broad cross-streets, between Meeting and King. Bright, light-filled rooms, tall ...
3 Talon Court
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 19031208 / Active
Charm and character abound throughout this chic Charleston single home in Radcliffeborough. Tucked into a small off-street community, Talon Court c...
33 Calhoun Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Gadsdenboro
Residential
MLS# 19031060 / Active
Looking for a Condo located close to all the amenities? This light-filled, 3 BR, top floor Condo has views to the N, E & W. Located across the stre...
27 Wentworth Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 19031034 / Active
Built in 1842, this exceptional Ansonborough brick residence has much to offer! Formal living and dining rooms with functional fireplaces, original...
5 Gadsdenboro Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Gadsdenboro
Residential
MLS# 19031010 / Active
Introducing our newest model home! This corner residence is full of natural light - a must see. Thoughtfully designed, this open floorplan features...
251 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Downtown
Residential
MLS# 19031109 / Active
Here's your opportunity to live in the heart of one of the world's most popular destinations, Charleston, South Carolina! Located at Meeting and We...
104 Smith Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 19030920 / Active
Beautiful Charleston Single home centrally located just off of Calhoun Street and within just two blocks of MUSC campus! The historic integrity has...
83-A Church Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19030917 / Active
Canopied by crepe myrtle trees on picturesque Church Street, this move-in ready pied-a-terre is characterized by historic charm with modern updates...
24 Wentworth Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 19030887 / Active
Built in 1840 this handsome three story brick residence retains it's original Greek Revival cornices, ceiling medallions, and black marble mantles....
38 Aiken Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 19030837 / Active Contingent
Check out this awesome opportunity to own a brand new construction Home in Downtown Charleston. This home is located at 38 Aiken Street in a sectio...
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 11-18-2019 11:04 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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