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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8 Jasper Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 19026498 / Active
Situated just minutes from King Street and College of Charleston, this beautiful Radcliffeborough home boasts character and charm that you can only...
5 Rutledge Avenue
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19026496 / Active
This elegant South of Broad masonry home has the best to offer. The turn-of-the-century open floor plan is flooded with light and historic details....
17 Ascot Alley
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Green
Residential
MLS# 19026467 / Active
Fabulous location just a few blocks from the College of Charleston, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston School of Law, and all that do...
14 Elizabeth Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Wraggborough
Residential
MLS# 19026441 / Active
Beautiful, gated two bedroom condo in Downtown Charleston. This condo includes many upgrades while still maintaining the beauty of a historic home ...
70 Nassau Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 19026404 / Active
Nestled in the heart of downtown Charleston, 70 Nassau Street is unlike any other home in this area. Comprised of three individual units, this comp...
1 Harlem Court
Charleston, SC 29403
Residential
MLS# 19026362 / Active
Own a unique piece of Charleston history. This completely renovated cottage is set in a picturesque part of the city. You are walking distance of...
1 Limehouse Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19026262 / Active
Step into your South of Broad lifestyle! This classic Colonial is fresh and bright. The broad double front piazza is inviting and perfect for laz...
58 Laurens Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 19026345 / Active
Located in the historic district of the peninsula, welcome to 58 Laurens St. This duplex offers the historic Charleston charm that you're looking f...
150 Tradd Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19026323 / Active
This is the perfect property if your Client is looking for a Historic turn key property South of Broad. Beautiful hardwood floors , lots of light a...
67 Legare Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Crafts House
Residential
MLS# 19026166 / Active
A rare opportunity to own one of the largest units in the highly coveted Crafts House on the corner of Queen and Legare Street in Harleston Village...
77 Smith Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 19026155 / Active
This home is ideally located, within 2 blocks of C of C and MUSC, as well as walking distance to some of the city's most popular shops and restaura...
90 Logan Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 19026258 / Active
Freshly painted end unit townhome centrally located downtown with off street parking and private fenced courtyard. The main level includes a large ...
48 Montagu Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 19026092 / Active
This property checks all the boxes - historic charm, private outdoor piazza with garden, and off-street parking! Fabulous, fully renovated condo ...
16 Bogard Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliottborough
Residential
Investor Alert! - 4 bedroom 2 bath home in Elliottborough that has been a strong rental for the last 10 years. Home is currently rented for $3650 p...
21 George Street
Charleston, SC 29401
George And Society
Residential
MLS# 19026017 / Active
Fabulous location between King and Meeting. Great open living space with soaring ceiling in living and dining areas. Loft area with half bath coul...
3 Queen Street
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 19026006 / Active
Unbelievable opportunity for a fabulously located one bedroom condominium in the heart of the French Quarter. This loft style unit is situated in a...
123 Ashley Avenue
Charleston, SC 29401
Downtown
Residential
MLS# 19026000 / Active
A charming downtown home on a corner lot at Cannon Park within walking distance to MUSC and Roper Hospitals, College of Charleston, and more. Feat...
59 Radcliffe Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 19025991 / Active
Charming, modern new construction house with 2 bedrooms plus 2.5 baths and off-street parking on tree-lined street surrounded by historic homes and...
135 South Battery
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19025972 / Active
Owner has experienced no flooding inside home during recent storms. Set back from the street under the canopy of a gorgeous live oak, this brick Ge...
5 Gadsdenboro Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Gadsdenboro
Residential
MLS# 19025942 / Active
Welcome to The Gadsden, Charleston's newest Luxury Condo Community! **This highly desired Third Floor unit with a Private Porch, Water Views & Open...
10 Sires Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 19025926 / Active
This Charleston single with double piazzas in the hub of downtown was built in 1852 and COMPLETELY restored in 2018. Every single inch of the house...
Reduced -$10,000
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 09-19-2019 4:04 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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