What is the Story Behind Charleston Green? - Page 12

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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Displaying results 232-252 of 5238
1 Photos Sold 6 Gadsden Street Charleston, SC 29401

6 Gadsden Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential

MLS# 23023405 / Sold
2 br, 2 ba, 1 Half Bath, 1820 Sqft

Ideally located in Harleston Village and close to Colonial Lake, this raised historic home seamlessly blends contemporary elegance while keeping th... 

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Sold Price: $1,440,000
Provided courtesy of The Boulevard Company, LLC
48 Photos 2 Wharfside Street UNIT 4c Charleston, SC 29401

2 Wharfside Street UNIT 4c
Charleston, SC 29401
Laurens Place
Residential

MLS# 23023349 / Active
3 br, 2 ba, 2509 Sqft

***Ask about the possibility of receiving 1% reduction in interest rate and free refi.*** TWO PARKING SPOTS! IWelcome to your dream waterfront retr... 

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$1,599,000
Reduced -$100,000
Provided courtesy of Matt O'Neill Real Estate
14 Photos 609 King Street UNIT #334 Charleston, SC 29403

609 King Street UNIT #334
Charleston, SC 29403
City Of Charleston
Residential

MLS# 23023313 / Active
1 br, 1 ba, 1 Half Bath, 1000 Sqft

Coming in 2026! The Peninsula of Charleston is an ownership-model, Continuing Care Retirement Community on King Street in historic downtown Charles... 

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$1,433,000
Provided courtesy of Peninsula of Charleston R.E.
1 Photos Sold 48 Montagu Street UNIT A Charleston, SC 29401

48 Montagu Street UNIT A
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential

MLS# 23023250 / Sold
2 br, 2 ba, 1 Half Bath, 1439 Sqft

With a prime location in downtown Charleston's Harleston Village, this expertly preserved historic home places you within walking distance of the c... 

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Sold Price: $1,154,000
Provided courtesy of The Cassina Group
1 Photos Sold 31 Smith Street UNIT #303 Charleston, SC 29401

31 Smith Street UNIT #303
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential

MLS# 23023634 / Sold
3 br, 3 ba, 1 Half Bath, 2468 Sqft

 

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Sold Price: $3,650,000
Provided courtesy of Oyster Point Real Estate Group, LLC
1 Photos Sold 261 Coming Street Charleston, SC 29403

261 Coming Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential

MLS# 23023125 / Sold
3 br, 1 ba, 1 Half Bath, 2198 Sqft

Location! Location! Magnificent investment opportunity to owned a historic downtown Charleston property in a desirable, quite westside neighborhood... 

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Sold Price: $741,000
Provided courtesy of Exit Realty Lowcountry Group
27 Photos 103 Cooper Street Charleston, SC 29403

103 Cooper Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential

MLS# 23023059 / Active Contingent
3 br, 2 ba, 1 Half Bath, 1306 Sqft

Great opportunity in Downtown Charleston on the developing Eastside. The home has three bedrooms and two full bathrooms. The homes tin roof was rep... 

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$530,000
Reduced -$15,000
Provided courtesy of Carolina One Real Estate
1 Photos Sold 80 Alexander Street Charleston, SC 29403

80 Alexander Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Wraggborough
Residential

MLS# 23022964 / Sold
3 br, 3 ba, 1 Half Bath, 2990 Sqft

80 Alexander Street is the site of the Liberty Tree. In the years before the Revolutionary War, Charlestonians met regularly under its branches to ... 

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Sold Price: $2,225,000
Provided courtesy of The Boulevard Company, LLC
1 Photos Sold 3 Chisolm Street UNIT #104 Charleston, SC 29401

3 Chisolm Street UNIT #104
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential

MLS# 23022962 / Sold
2 br, 2 ba, 1 Half Bath, 1702 Sqft

Gorgeous light-filled condo in the desirable 3 Chisolm building south of Broad. This luxury condo spans the full width of the lovely rear garden, w... 

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Sold Price: $1,500,000
Provided courtesy of Maison Real Estate
1 Photos Sold 5 Gadsdenboro Street UNIT #414 Charleston, SC 29401

5 Gadsdenboro Street UNIT #414
Charleston, SC 29401
Gadsdenboro
Residential

MLS# 23022909 / Sold
2 br, 2 ba, 1259 Sqft

Welcome home to unit 414 at The Gadsden. This two-bedroom condominium is the epitome of modern downtown living. Situated on the fourth floor, this ... 

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Sold Price: $1,199,000
Provided courtesy of William Means Real Estate, LLC
1 Photos Sold 33 Lockwood Drive UNIT Lu154 - Slip H-4 Charleston, SC 29401

33 Lockwood Drive UNIT Lu154 - Slip H-4
Charleston, SC 29401
Ashley Marina
Residential

MLS# 23022814 / Sold
n/a br, n/a ba, n/a Sqft

55' x 18' slip in Ashley Marina 

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Sold Price: $75,000
Provided courtesy of Premier Properties Charleston
1 Photos Sold 15 Horlbeck Alley UNIT C-1 Charleston, SC 29401

15 Horlbeck Alley UNIT C-1
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential

MLS# 23022785 / Sold
3 br, 2 ba, 1 Half Bath, 1168 Sqft

This condo is located in the heart of downtown Charleston. It is in one of the best locations in all of the city. The condo is within walking dista... 

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Sold Price: $600,000
Provided courtesy of The Brennaman Group
1 Photos Sold 34 Anson Street Charleston, SC 29401

34 Anson Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential

MLS# 23022700 / Sold
3 br, 2 ba, 1 Half Bath, 2458 Sqft

Originally built in 1848, this light-filled brick Charleston Single house was meticulously renovated in 2018 with attention to historic preservatio... 

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Sold Price: $2,525,000
Provided courtesy of William Means Real Estate, LLC
1 Photos Sold 13 Porters Court Charleston, SC 29403

13 Porters Court
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliottborough
Residential

MLS# 23022749 / Sold
1 br, 1 ba, 642 Sqft

Charming raised cottage built around 1900 in the historic neighborhood of Elliottborough on a non-motorized street. Features include beautiful hard... 

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Sold Price: $504,000
Provided courtesy of Lois Lane Properties
1 Photos Sold 275 Coming Street Charleston, SC 29403

275 Coming Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential

MLS# 23022709 / Sold
2 br, 2 ba, 1 Half Bath, 1020 Sqft

Welcome home to this historic Charleston Single located in the heart of Historic Downtown Charleston, South Carolina! If location is important, thi... 

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Sold Price: $850,000
Provided courtesy of Keller Williams Realty Charleston West Ashley
1 Photos Sold 63 Rutledge Avenue UNIT #8 Charleston, SC 29401

63 Rutledge Avenue UNIT #8
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential

MLS# 23022592 / Sold
1 br, 1 ba, 784 Sqft

Berkeley Court Condominiums is one of the few Art Deco style buildings in downtown Charleston. This one bedroom apartment has a lovely sunporch tha... 

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Sold Price: $465,000
Provided courtesy of Lois Lane Properties
1 Photos Sold 54 Legare Street Charleston, SC 29401

54 Legare Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential

MLS# 23022584 / Sold
4 br, 5 ba, 3816 Sqft

Chic South of Broad masonry home, beautifully designed and renovated. The elegant formal space tastefully accents the open kitchen/den area to the ... 

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Sold Price: $4,150,000
Provided courtesy of Carriage Properties LLC
1 Photos Sold 49 Aiken Street Charleston, SC 29403

49 Aiken Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential

MLS# 23022368 / Sold
2 br, 1 ba, 1 Half Bath, 1036 Sqft

Experience the convenience of living just steps away from Downtown's finest restaurants and shops! This captivating two-story charmer, nestled in t... 

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Sold Price: $545,000
Provided courtesy of Healthy Realty LLC
1 Photos Sold 122 Smith Street Charleston, SC 29403

122 Smith Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential

MLS# 23022360 / Sold
3 br, 2 ba, 1 Half Bath, 1724 Sqft

Welcome to 122 Smith Street! Tastefully renovated, this turnkey property offers 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms and measures 1724 square feet. Interior... 

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Sold Price: $1,405,000
Provided courtesy of The Cassina Group
1 Photos Sold 5 Limehouse Street Charleston, SC 29401

5 Limehouse Street
Charleston, SC 29401
City Of Charleston
Residential

MLS# 23022319 / Sold
3 br, 3 ba, 1 Half Bath, 2644 Sqft

Experience the timeless elegance of this historic South of Broad masterpiece! Nestled within the heart of Charleston, this enchanting 1885 Charlest... 

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Sold Price: $2,400,000
Provided courtesy of Coldwell Banker Realty
1 Photos Sold 7 West Street UNIT B Charleston, SC 29401

7 West Street UNIT B
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential

MLS# 23022211 / Sold
3 br, 2 ba, 1 Half Bath, 1587 Sqft

Location, location, location! This wonderful 3-bedroom townhome is perfectly located on a quaint and quiet street in the very heart of Charleston's... 

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Sold Price: $1,250,000
Provided courtesy of Maison Real Estate
Residential, Land, Other Disclaimer:

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 03-29-2024 6:11 AM 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 2024 Charleston Trident Multiple Listing Service, Inc. All rights reserved.
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