What is the Story Behind Charleston Green? - Page 14
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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53 Hasell Street UNIT H
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 23025233 / Sold
It would be difficult to find a location better than 53 Hasell, a gated condominium community conveniently located in the heart of the City's histo...
152 Spring Street UNIT E
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 23025105 / Sold
This lovely detached home offers the best of both worlds with low-maintenance newer construction in the heart of historic downtown Charleston. Step...
49 Archdale Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 23024893 / Active Contingent
This is your opportunity to own a beautiful free-standing building with commercial on the 1st floor and residential above with parking and an undev...
27 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 23024863 / Sold
Circa 1815 - The Joseph Yates House. This fine masonry Charleston Single home was constructed by local merchant Yates. After purchasing the propert...
61 Reid Street UNIT A
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 23024830 / Active Contingent
BRAND NEW CONSTRUCTION! Beautiful 1,202 sq ft 3 bedroom 2.5 Bath Town home. 3 stories of living space that offer a large covered front porch, large...
30 Mary Street UNIT #3
Charleston, SC 29403
Wraggborough
Residential
MLS# 23024942 / Sold
Amazing condo built in 1885, in the heart of Charleston with two parking spots! This unit offers all the charm you would expect in Charleston. Beau...
2 Canal Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 23024759 / Active Contingent
** EXTREMELY RARE ** LOOK AT THAT FRONT YARD ** LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION ** SELLER TO OFFER $10,000 CREDIT TOWARDS PURCHASE OF MOTORIZED BLINDS...
Reduced -$155,000
207 Wentworth Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Place
Residential
MLS# 23024650 / Active Contingent
BUYERS HAVE A HOME TO SELL! BRING US YOUR OFFER! Historic Charleston offers this beautiful 1998 built home with all the charm of yesteryear includi...
Reduced -$74,000
26 Dereef Court
Charleston, SC 29403
Morris Square
Residential
MLS# 23024507 / Sold
Welcome home to 26 Dereef Court located in Morris Square and situated at the heart of Charleston's sought after Cannonborough-Elliotborough neighbo...
21 Jasper Street UNIT #201
Charleston, SC 29403
Morris Square
Residential
MLS# 23024448 / Sold
Cash buyers only. Best value in Morris Square by far, and best value for condition, size, and location on the peninsula! 21 Jasper presents a golde...
42 Vanderhorst Street UNIT A
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 23024394 / Sold
Welcome home to this light and bright historic home in the heart of downtown Charleston!! This fabulous 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condominium offers th...
2 Wharfside Street UNIT 2d
Charleston, SC 29401
Laurens Place
Residential
MLS# 23024434 / Active
***Ask about the possibility of receiving 1% reduction in interest rate and free refi.*** TWO PARKING SPOTS! Introducing a sophisticated living exp...
Reduced -$250,000
45 Amherst Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 23024340 / Active Contingent
Discover your chance to invest in this remarkable Eastside duplex, ideally nestled on Amherst Street, right in the middle of all the action. With t...
Reduced -$15,000
9 Rutledge Avenue
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 23024152 / Sold
Welcome to 9 Rutledge Avenue. Located South of Broad and just steps from Colonial Lake, indulge in the walkability of Historic Downtown. Circa 1910...
15 Prices Alley
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 23024081 / Sold
Looking for that perfect hideaway on one of South of Broad's most charming alleys? Beautifully restored, fine finishes throughout. This well cared ...
61 Nassau Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 23024038 / Sold
A remarkable opportunity awaits to become the owner of a meticulously restored historic residence situated in the heart of Downtown Charleston. Thi...
11 Saint Philip Street UNIT B
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 23023902 / Sold
Located in the heart of Harleston Village and just one block from King Street's central business district, the Simons Walk townhomes offer new cons...
3 Queen Street UNIT #201
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 23023959 / Sold
Step into historic living at its finest in the heart of the French Quarter with this exquisite loft-style condominium in the renowned Queensgate bu...
11 Saint Philip Street UNIT A
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 23023900 / Sold
Located in the heart of Harleston Village and just one block from King Street's central business district, the Simons Walk townhomes offer new cons...
152 Spring Street UNIT F
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 23023835 / Active
152 Spring Street Unit F is conveniently located in downtown Charleston just a short walk from all amenities that make Charleston living so desired...
218 Coming Street UNIT A & B
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 23023834 / Sold
218 Coming Street is fully licensed and legal short-term rental (STR). It is zoned General Business in the Short-Term Overlay District. It is an 18...
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 05-03-2024 11:55 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.
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