What is the Story Behind Charleston Green? - Page 15
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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13 Church Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 23021465 / Sold
The circa 1775 Thomas Ball House is set ''below the bend'' on Church Street and presents the very best of historic charm and downtown living. This ...
7 State Street UNIT B
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 23021464 / Sold
Welcome to a piece of history reimagined for modern luxury living. This newly renovated condominium is nestled within the original Union Insurance ...
13 Legare Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 23021494 / Sold
One of the finest renovations in Historic Charleston on beautiful tree-shaded Legare Street. Perfection at every turn! Private gated brick and blue...
85 Cumberland Street UNIT #11
Charleston, SC 29401
Markets Gate
Residential
MLS# 23021298 / Sold
Exclusive Markets Gate residence located in the heart of Downtown Charleston. Secured entry and lobby with inhouse mailboxes and delivery area. 85 ...
12 Franklin Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Residential
MLS# 23021126 / Sold
Welcome to the stunning 12 Franklin Street, located one block north of Broad Street and walkable to some of the city's most beautiful destinations....
377 King Street UNIT #103
Charleston, SC 29401
Residential
MLS# 23021114 / Sold
Embrace the best of downtown Charleston living in this charming, fully furnished two-story condo. Its prime location places you in the heart of Cha...
92 Tradd Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 23021073 / Sold
The Dewar Lee Pringle House, circa 1762, is an exquisite four-story Charleston Single house located on one of the most iconic streets in downtown C...
36 Morris Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 23021182 / Sold
Rare fully permitted STR duplex one block from King Street in the accommodation overlay district. One-bedroom STR units are the most efficient and ...
22 Sheppard Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 23021077 / Sold
A True Gem on Sheppard Street! This is a rare opportunity-to own a totally restored and renovated historic home, built by and for the owners, on t...
95 Church Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 23021030 / Sold
In the heart of the old walled city, under the shadows of historic church steeples and nestled among old-growth live oaks, an exceptional late Vict...
63 King Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 23020960 / Sold
This incredible South of Broad property offers the luxuries of downtown living with exceptional modern-day conveniences. 63 King Street is tucked a...
1 King Street UNIT #709
Charleston, SC 29401
Fort Sumter House
Residential
MLS# 23020823 / Sold
Spectacular views of the Cooper & Ashley Rivers Atlantic Ocean historic Fort Sumter steeples & rooftops from this penthouse floor condo located in ...
175 Concord Street UNIT #303
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 23020809 / Active Contingent
nstructions: ShowingTimeRemarks: 175 CONCORD ST. LOCATED IN THE HEART OF HISTORIC CHARLESTON (JUST STEPS FROM WATERFRONT PARK) THIS CONDOMINIUM OFF...
23 Cannon Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 23020724 / Sold
RENOVATED SHORT TERM RENTAL READY FOR OPERATION! Traditional Charleston meets modern design is what you will find in this newly refined property by...
3 Aiken Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 23020722 / Sold
You must see this meticulously restored 1820s Charleston Single overlooking Hampstead Square. It's an easy walk to the Cigar Factory and Historic K...
609 King Street UNIT #440
Charleston, SC 29403
City Of Charleston
Residential
MLS# 23020652 / Active
Coming in 2026! The Peninsula of Charleston is an ownership-model, Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) on King Street in historic downtown ...
201 Broad Street UNIT #1
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 23020614 / Sold
Chic and fully furnished two bedroom unit at The Bauer! Enjoy beautiful views of Colonial Lake in this prime South of Broad location. Upon entering...
83 E Bay Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 23020585 / Active Contingent
The William Stone House, circa 1784, is one of 13 fine pastel-colored homes on Rainbow Row, perched just along the Battery, a short stroll to the w...
Reduced -$196,000
112 Tradd Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 23020504 / Sold
Beautiful 1770 home in the heart of Charleston's historic district offered publicly for the first time in over 50 years! This well preserved proper...
7 Percy Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 23020501 / Sold
Accepting back-up offers. Historic Charleston single home in highly desirable Elliotborough subdivision. A wonderful investment opportunity in down...
20 Poulnot Lane
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 23020441 / Sold
Come explore this charming townhouse in the heart of historic Harleston Village. On the first floor you will be greeted by a beautiful living room,...
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 04-20-2024 8:03 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.
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