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!
Modify Search Criteria
76 Line Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 19008365 / Active
Lot of potential with this cute home less than a block from King Street. Needs lots of work Fireplace does not work. One Bath located second floor...
135 Beaufain Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 19008328 / Active
Welcome to 135 Beaufain Street! This beautifully updated home is located in a quiet section of Harleston Village just steps away from Colonial Lake...
92 Spring Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 19008169 / Active
92 A Spring Street is fully renovated in its original vernacular and a carefully preserved historic commercial offering in the heart of downtown. ...
37 N Adgers Wharf
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19008381 / Active
This immaculately updated and maintained smart property is perfect for either a full-time residence or as a large lock-and-leave pied-a-terre. Main...
25 Chapel Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Wraggborough
Residential
MLS# 19008096 / Active
Wonderful TRIPLEX in desirable Wraggborough. Live in the Front Unit and rent the back 2. Large Main Unit with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. Open floor pl...
259 E Bay Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 19007934 / Active
Spacious condominium on the first floor. Fully updated with tile, hardwoods and carpet. New HVAC split system. Off street parking and swimming pool...
259 E Bay Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 19007926 / Active
Spacious top floor condominium with balcony. Panoramic views. Fully updated/renovated. Hardwoods, tile and carpet. Stainless steel appliances. New ...
59 Cooper Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Residential
MLS# 19008028 / Active
Here is your opportunity to grab a great spot in the desired Eastside area of Charleston, near the Cigar Factory. This 3 bedroom home sits on a nic...
113 Line Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 19007871 / Active Contingent
Don't miss your opportunity to preview this beautifully renovated Charleston Single located in the heart of Elliotborough. This well preserved home...
6 Rosemont Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Residential
MLS# 19007877 / Active
Excellent opportunity to own an income producing property located on the peninsula for under $500k! Live in one side and rent out the other to cove...
65 Vanderhorst Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 19007711 / Active
BEAUTIFUL ONE BEDROOM CONDO DOWNTOWN- NEW HVAC & TANKLESS WATER HEATER! 65 G Vanderhorst Street is the ultimate walk-to-everything location in down...
17 Poulnot Lane
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 19007755 / Active
Sophisticated Fitzsimons townhouse with walled garden and covered parking. Lease is in place with income of $49,800. Just off Queen Street on a cha...
55 Hasell Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 19007698 / Active
Inviting 1830's historic condominium two blocks from the market and centrally positioned within Ansonborough Neighborhood steps away from shops, di...
63 Rutledge Avenue
Charleston, SC 29401
Berkeley Court
Residential
MLS# 19007641 / Active
Berkeley Court condominiums are located in downtown Charleston and convenient to shopping, restaurants and historic areas. Not to mention the BEAUT...
143 Queen Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 19007651 / Active
Charming double porches, a wrought iron gate and bricked path welcome you to this historic property. Built in 1870, this impeccably restored Charl...
18 Fulton Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 19007627 / Active
This four bedroom townhouse is located only a few doors away from King Street on a quiet lane in Harleston Village. There is a loft on the third w...
108 Smith Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffe Square
Residential
MLS# 19007568 / Active
Rare opportunity!! Charming 2 bedroom house in walking distance to King Street, MUSC, College of Charleston, the farmer's market and many other thi...
55 Radcliffe Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 19007952 / Active
Presenting 55 Radcliffe, commonly known as 24 Thomas. Circa 1872. Comprised of six individually deeded condominiums. Symmetrically designed w/ iden...
150 Bee Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Bee Street Lofts
Residential
MLS# 19007550 / Active
This gorgeous industrial style loft includes contemporary finishes and opens directly onto the large courtyard offering incredible views of the Ash...
50 South Battery Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 19007537 / Active
Distinctive beauty! You are just steps from White Point Gardens, The Battery and award winning restaurants Constructed by Charles Drake circa 1890 ...
78 Legare Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 19007488 / Active
The living is easy in this 3-story brick townhouse, close to everything that Charleston has to offer. Perfect for your primary residence or a char...
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 03-23-2019 3:02 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 2019 Charleston Trident Multiple Listing Service, Inc. All rights reserved.
