What is the Story Behind Charleston Green?

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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37 Photos 249 Ashley Avenue Charleston, SC 29403

249 Ashley Avenue
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential

MLS# 25004187 / Active
3 br, 3 ba, 1932 Sqft

Welcome to 249 Ashley Avenue, a rare gem in the heart of Charleston. Just minutes from MUSC, King Street, and Highway 17, this home offers unbeatab... 

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$1,300,000
Provided courtesy of Charleston Premier Realty
40 Photos 35 Tradd Street Charleston, SC 29401

35 Tradd Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential

MLS# 25004172 / Active
3 br, 3 ba, 1 Half Bath, 3666 Sqft

Nestled in the heart of Charleston's historic South of Broad district, this exquisite 18th-century masonry home blends timeless charm with modern l... 

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$3,495,000
Provided courtesy of Daniel Ravenel Sotheby's International Realty
63 Photos 32-E Prioleau Street Charleston, SC 29401

32-E Prioleau Street
Charleston, SC 29401
One Vendue Range
Residential

MLS# 25004156 / Active
2 br, 2 ba, 1 Half Bath, 2583 Sqft

Incredible opportunity to own this desirable waterfront apartment in the charming French Quarter. Completely furnished, redesigned and updated betw... 

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$3,850,000
Provided courtesy of Carriage Properties LLC
55 Photos 80 Smith Street Charleston, SC 29401

80 Smith Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential

MLS# 25004125 / Active
4 br, 4 ba, 1 Half Bath, 2054 Sqft

CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION! A renewed and redesigned home brought to you by Cozy Development. Nestled in the heart of Harleston Village, this pre... 

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$2,174,800
Provided courtesy of The Boulevard Company
30 Photos 133 Wentworth Street Charleston, SC 29401

133 Wentworth Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential

MLS# 25004019 / Active
3 br, 1 ba, 1 Half Bath, 1320 Sqft

Make this gorgeous brick Townhouse your home in vibrant Harleston Village. Enjoy: A beautiful, big eat-in kitchen's natural light, street view, gra... 

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$935,000
Provided courtesy of Carolina One Real Estate
27 Photos 254 Saint Philip Street UNIT B Charleston, SC 29403

254 Saint Philip Street UNIT B
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential

MLS# 25003993 / Active
5 br, 5 ba, 2175 Sqft

Short Term Rental Multifamily Income Producing HPR For Sale. Stunning Brand NEW 2025 Construction, 3 Story Architectural Designed property located ... 

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$2,275,000
Provided courtesy of Coldwell Banker Comm/Atlantic Int'l
19 Photos 56 Laurens Street Charleston, SC 29401

56 Laurens Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential

MLS# 25003903 / Active
8 br, 4 ba, 4132 Sqft

Great Investment opportunity with morderate Flood Risk! Quadraplex in historic Ansonboroughwith a strong rental history and is fully leased. Each u... 

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$2,495,000
Provided courtesy of Belser Thompson Real Estate
18 Photos 103 Cooper Street Charleston, SC 29403

103 Cooper Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential

MLS# 25003799 / Active
3 br, 2 ba, 1306 Sqft

Historic 'Charleston Single' in a PRIME location surrounded by new- and re-development. WalkScore of 89 - ''Very Walkable'' with myriad options for... 

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$799,000
Provided courtesy of Carroll Realty
10 Photos 259 E Bay Street UNIT 1 C Charleston, SC 29401

259 E Bay Street UNIT 1 C
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential

MLS# 25003784 / Active
1 br, 1 ba, 636 Sqft

Top floor condominium with southern exposure. Elevator. Balcony with panoramic views. Fully updated. Located near Market Area. Private parking and ... 

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$465,000
Provided courtesy of Carolina One Real Estate
24 Photos 40 Bee Street UNIT #309 Charleston, SC 29403

40 Bee Street UNIT #309
Charleston, SC 29403
University Place
Residential

MLS# 25003864 / Active
2 br, 2 ba, 644 Sqft

Welcome home to 40 Bee Street #309: right downtown across from MUSC & close to the College of Charleston. This community is a short walk/ride to ma... 

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$325,000
Provided courtesy of AgentOwned Realty Charleston Group
71 Photos 31 Hasell Street Charleston, SC 29401

31 Hasell Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential

MLS# 25003990 / Active
3 br, 3 ba, 1 Half Bath, 2836 Sqft

The charm of the Ansonborough Neighborhood is on full display in this unique residence just a short walk to everything Charleston has to offer. Fir... 

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$4,295,000
Provided courtesy of Carolina One Real Estate
32 Photos 40 Bee Street UNIT #112 Charleston, SC 29403

40 Bee Street UNIT #112
Charleston, SC 29403
University Place
Residential

MLS# 25003855 / Active
2 br, 2 ba, 1 Half Bath, 644 Sqft

Welcome home to 40 Bee Street #112: right downtown across from MUSC & close to the College of Charleston. This community is a short walk/ride to ma... 

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$325,000
Provided courtesy of AgentOwned Realty Charleston Group
59 Photos 23 Elliott Street Charleston, SC 29401

23 Elliott Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential

MLS# 25003652 / Active
4 br, 4 ba, 1 Half Bath, 3700 Sqft

Sitting along a quiet side street in the sought-after South of Broad neighborhood, 23 Elliott Street offers the charm of an 18th-century-style exte... 

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$4,575,000
Provided courtesy of Daniel Ravenel Sotheby's International Realty
48 Photos 104 Murray Boulevard Charleston, SC 29401

104 Murray Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential

MLS# 25003733 / Active
4 br, 4 ba, 1 Half Bath, 4869 Sqft

High Design, breathtaking finishes, and exceptional style can be yours in this magnificent waterfront home in Charleston's pristine South of Broad ... 

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$7,500,000
Provided courtesy of Daniel Ravenel Sotheby's International Realty
44 Photos 33 Calhoun Street UNIT #218 Charleston, SC 29401

33 Calhoun Street UNIT #218
Charleston, SC 29401
Gadsdenboro
Residential

MLS# 25003619 / Active Contingent
2 br, 2 ba, 1823 Sqft

Welcome to 33 Calhoun Street, Unit 218--an exceptional corner unit filled with bright natural light and designed for comfortable living. With ample... 

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$985,000
Provided courtesy of Daniel Ravenel Sotheby's International Realty
13 Photos 159 Rutledge Avenue Charleston, SC 29403

159 Rutledge Avenue
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential

MLS# 25003555 / Active
n/a br, 3 ba, 7479 Sqft

Excellent investment opportunity to own a piece of Charleston history with this completely renovated Charleston Single and carriage house, accompan... 

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$3,900,000
Provided courtesy of Lee & Associates - Charleston
37 Photos 67 Legare Street UNIT #305 Charleston, SC 29401

67 Legare Street UNIT #305
Charleston, SC 29401
Crafts House
Residential

MLS# 25003536 / Active
2 br, 1 ba, 1 Half Bath, 956 Sqft

Quiet and secure condo located in the historic Crafts House building, ideally situated near Broad and King Streets. This two bedroom light-filled c... 

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$925,000
Provided courtesy of Carriage Properties LLC
55 Photos 3 Bee Street Charleston, SC 29403

3 Bee Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential

MLS# 25003518 / Active
3 br, 2 ba, 1 Half Bath, 2366 Sqft

This renovated historic home offers a unique combination of old-world charm and modern convenience. The 2021 studs out renovation completely transf... 

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$2,799,900
Provided courtesy of Dana Properties, LLC
75 Photos 22 1/2 Mary Street UNIT A, B, C Charleston, SC 29403

22 1/2 Mary Street UNIT A, B, C
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential

MLS# 25003512 / Active
3 br, 3 ba, 1 Half Bath, 5377 Sqft

In the shadow of the Aiken-Rhett house museum, which is in downtown Charleston's favorite neighborhood, Wraggborough; this three (3) unit developme... 

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$3,250,000
Provided courtesy of Charleston Property Brokers
64 Photos 243 Rutledge Avenue Charleston, SC 29403

243 Rutledge Avenue
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliotborough
Residential

MLS# 25003463 / Active
5 br, 3 ba, 3093 Sqft

Welcome to 243 Rutledge Avenue, a beautifully preserved circa 1890 home nestled in the vibrant Elliotborough neighborhood of Charleston. This spaci... 

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$1,595,000
Provided courtesy of The Exchange Company, LLC
61 Photos 179 Wentworth Street Charleston, SC 29401

179 Wentworth Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential

MLS# 25003458 / Active
3 br, 3 ba, 1 Half Bath, 2210 Sqft

Stunning and quintessentially Charleston, this meticulously updated circa 1840s Charleston Single home is nestled in the heart of the historic dist... 

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$2,300,000
Provided courtesy of Maison Real Estate
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Broker Reciprocity 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 02-17-2025 11:54 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 2025 Charleston Trident Multiple Listing Service, Inc. All rights reserved.
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