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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330 Concord Street UNIT 12 C
Charleston, SC 29401
Dockside
Residential
MLS# 23027213 / Active
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...
2 Laurens Street UNIT 1-E
Charleston, SC 29401
Gadsdenboro
Residential
MLS# 23027176 / Active
Enjoy luxury one-floor condominium living historic downtown Charleston in this generous 1,600 square foot residence with an on-site concierge, off-...
12 Trumbo Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 23027187 / Active Contingent
This wonderfully maintained home in Harleston Village offers wide double porches, a beautifully landscaped garden and spacious side by side off str...
348 King Street UNIT L
Charleston, SC 29401
Downtown
Residential
MLS# 23026977 / Active Contingent
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 ...
121 Coming Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 23026932 / Active
1.5 Blocks to the College of Charleston Library...Location! Location! Location!DUPLEX....3 BRS/2 Baths Upstairs 3 BRS/ 2 Baths DownstairsCurrent In...
330 Concord Street UNIT 18f
Charleston, SC 29401
Dockside
Residential
MLS# 23026922 / Active
Two level penthouse unit with wide northern views of the Cooper River and Ravenel Bridge. Unit has been intelligently renovated with transitional d...
84 Bull Street UNIT D
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 23026860 / Active
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...
29 Broad Street UNIT C
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 23026828 / Active
Imagine owning a piece of Charleston history, a seldom-seen opportunity to purchase a portion of the historic McCauley Davis Building. Sitting amid...
30 Dereef Court
Charleston, SC 29403
Morris Square
Residential
MLS# 23026781 / Active Contingent
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...
295 King UNIT B-3
Charleston, SC 29401
Residential
MLS# 23026712 / Active
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...
44 Charlotte Street UNIT D
Charleston, SC 29403
Wraggborough
Residential
MLS# 23026685 / Active
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...
14 Humphrey Court
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 23026723 / Active
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 ...
178 Wentworth Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 23026631 / Active
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...
190 Coming Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 23026607 / Active
Rare opportunity to own multiple units in downtown Charleston on a large lot!Positioned within the short-term rental overlay, this property boasts ...
32 Church Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 23026621 / Active
Circa 1804--The Lindsay Fowler House. Prime, quiet lower Church Street location. This fine South of Broad home was beautifully restored, including ...
181 Queen Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 23026563 / Active
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 ...
43 Charlotte Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Wraggborough
Residential
MLS# 23026564 / Active
Beautiful Greek Revival, the William A. Hussey house, located in the heart of Wraggborough circa 1849, has been meticulously restored per National ...
18 Broad Street UNIT #501
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
33 Lockwood Drive UNIT Lu66
Charleston, SC 29401
The Harborage At Ashley Marina
Residential
MLS# 23026363 / Pending
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...
5 Gadsdenboro Street UNIT #409
Charleston, SC 29401
Gadsdenboro
Residential
MLS# 23026340 / Active
Welcome home to The Gadsden, downtown Charleston's most luxurious condominium community! Situated next to the city's new Gadsdenboro Park, The Gads...
9 Lamboll Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 23026299 / Active Contingent
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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