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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5 Gadsdenboro Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Gadsdenboro
Residential
MLS# 22017006 / Active
Want to Live-in the most sought after living in Charleston, walk to all restaurants, churches, historical Charleston, across from Park. Private roo...
259 East Bay St UNIT 3 A
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 22017003 / Active
Amazing location! First floor condo that is close to all that downtown Charleston has to offer. It is a short walk to Market St and some of the be...
330 Concord Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Dockside
Residential
MLS# 22017049 / Active
From the time you enter Dockside, you are immediately ''welcomed'' home! Conveniently located in Downtown Charleston between the South Carolina Aq...
67 Spring Street UNIT A
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 22016948 / Active Contingent
Great opportunity! Great Location!! Historic Charleston Single Tucked Off of Spring Street. As you stroll down the brick walkway it opens up to ...
179 Spring Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Residential
MLS# 22016757 / Active
Zoned general business, this property is the perfect place for either commercial or residential uses. A legal duplex with separate meters for each ...
14 Lockwood Drive UNIT 2 D
Charleston, SC 29401
Ashley House
Residential
MLS# 22016626 / Active
Spacious updated condominium with southern exposure. 24 hour security. Panoramic views of Ashley River and the Charleston MegaDock and Charleston C...
Reduced -$10,000
173 Rutledge Avenue
Charleston, SC 29403
Rutledge Green
Residential
MLS# 22016682 / Active
Beautifully, well-maintained, and move in ready townhouse on Rutledge Ave within walking distance of MUSC, Roper, CofC, King St, Marion Square, and...
79 Anson Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 22016161 / Active
This 2021 Carolopolis Award winning home is truly a treasure. Through the combined efforts of the owners, Architect Glen Keyes, Landscape Architect...
30 South Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 22016209 / Active Contingent
Welcome to 30 South Street! A historic Duplex located in the heart of Charleston's East Side. This duplex built-in 1890 Has just undergone extensiv...
175 Wentworth Street UNIT A
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 22016092 / Active
Rare first floor flat loaded with historic charm and carefully blended with modern conveniences. Inside you will enjoy a spacious floor plan with h...
377 King Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Residential
MLS# 22015993 / Active
Don't miss this beautifully renovated 2 bed 1 bath condo just off the corner of King and Calhoun Streets and only steps away from Marion Square, Fr...
53 Hasell Street UNIT C
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 22015955 / Active Contingent
It would be difficult to find a better location than 53 Hasell- conveniently located within walking distance to musuems, restaurants, The Gaillard...
53 Hasell Street UNIT B
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 22016266 / Active Contingent
Charleston charm at its finest! Location could not be any sweeter than the City's historic district. With gated off-street parking, 53 Hasell St. ...
93 Lenwood Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 22015960 / Active Contingent
A charming historic home that's perfect for gracious living & entertaining. Thirteen ft ceilings, elegant woodwork, 6 working gas fireplaces, origi...
9 Orange Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 22015846 / Active Contingent
Rare opportunity to own an exquisite piece of Charleston history! Perched on high ground along one of Charleston's most beloved and private streets...
26 Catfiddle Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 22015973 / Active Contingent
Catfiddle Street is a neighborhood development within the historic downtown neighborhood of Cannonborough Elliottborough. 26 Catfiddle combines m...
31 Ashley Avenue
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 22015692 / Active Contingent
This charming South of Broad two bedroom end unit residence is positioned in the perfect central location between the iconic Horse Lot Park and Col...
17 Sires Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 22015693 / Active
Welcome to 17 Sires Street also known as ''The Church'' located in the vibrant Cannonborough/Elliotborough neighborhood in downtown Charleston, SC....
55 Morris Street UNIT B
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 22015733 / Active
Charming, fully renovated 3-bedroom, 2.5 bath home with an ideal location in the Radcliffeborough neighborhood, perfect for a full-time or part-tim...
45 E Bay Street UNIT C
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 22015659 / Active Contingent
This sophisticated penthouse condominium is located in the Somersall-DeSaussure House at 45 East Bay Street. It has been expertly renovated with re...
3 Chisolm Street UNIT #402
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 22015949 / Active Contingent
The most unique luxury condo has finally hit the market in Charleston! 3 Chisolm truly has the 'WOW' factor you've been searching for. This 3 story...
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