What is the Story Behind Charleston Green? - Page 162
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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84 South Battery Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 16016538 / Sold
The Harriett Porcher Simons House was constructed in 1920 and designed by Albert Simons for his family. The home is named for his wife, Harriett, w...
109 Smith Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Residential
MLS# 16016569 / Sold
This house is a must-see. Original Charleston single structure maintains its old world charm, and recent 2015, 2 story addition of 1026 square feet...
14 Lockwood Drive UNIT 9-A
Charleston, SC 29401
Ashley House
Residential
MLS# 16016488 / Sold
Ideal downtown location...walk or bike everywhere! This totally renovated unit has breathtaking views of the historic district's rooftops & steeple...
8 Prioleau Street UNIT Unit A
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 16016509 / Sold
Fabulous Colonial Revival building located in the heart of Charleston's historic district on the quiet end of waterfront park. Built in 1860 (with...
131 Church Street
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 16016564 / Sold
Beautiful Georgian Townhouse built in 1809 by James Huston, the son-in-law of Alexander Calder who once owned this parcel and the Planters Inn wher...
140 Broad Street
Charleston, NC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 16016309 / Sold
Priced well below recent appraisal! Huger House - home of Dr. William Harleston Huger, Civil War surgeon and physician for Charleston Children's Or...
23 Felix Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 16016203 / Sold
Beautiful 3 story Charleston style home on quaint and private Felix St. Home has Hardiplank siding, an amazing interior courtyard, and a rear garde...
55 Ashley Avenue UNIT #5
Charleston, SC 29401
Baker House
Residential
MLS# 16016167 / Sold
Exclusive Baker House condominium on the refurbished Colonial Lake. Walk to King Street, MUSC, CofC. Off street parking and incredibly convenient t...
36 Ashe Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 16016107 / Sold
Both adorable and charming, this Charleston Single is a Carolopolis Award Winning home. It is truly a great example of responsible stewardship of C...
42 Vanderhorst UNIT C
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 16016189 / Sold
This perfectly private carriage house behind 42 Vanderhorst is a handsome studs-up complete remodel in the coveted neighborhood of Radcliffeborough...
42 Vanderhorst Street UNIT A
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 16016176 / Sold
Wow. A gorgeous and amazing down-to-the-studs remodel of an historic home in the coveted neighborhood of Radcliffeborough. When you walk through th...
77 Tradd Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 16015968 / Sold
Beautifully updated, impeccably maintained, 3BR/3BA, historic residence with all the modern conveniences. Original kitchen house Circa 1790 with he...
7 Rutledge Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 16015900 / Sold
Charming early twentieth century and recently updated South of Broad home with off street parking and a beautifully landscaped yard with an in-grou...
Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 16016112 / Sold
Located South of Broad, just off Legare Street on secluded, yet central, Lamboll Street. Probably one of the most desirable locations in the city. ...
4 Beaufain Street UNIT #308
Charleston, SC 29401
Downtown
Residential
MLS# 16015698 / Sold
This chic downtown condo overlooking King Street is a must see! The prime location allows you to walk to some of Charleston's best shops and restau...
33 Calhoun Street UNIT #225
Charleston, SC 29401
Downtown
Residential
MLS# 16015328 / Sold
A sparkling renovation - condominium turned jewel box. In the heart of Charleston, very near our world-class restaurants and posh shopping and spa ...
153 Spring Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 16015281 / Sold
***SHORT-TERM RENTAL OVERLAY-****LIMITED BUSINESS ZONING. Renovated 1850's single house. Walk to MUSC, College of Charleston, Charleston School of ...
41 King Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 16015007 / Sold
Beautifully restored 18th century Charleston single home perfectly located south of Tradd near ''High Battery'', with off street parking. Built cir...
18 Boyces Wharf
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 16014716 / Sold
Rare townhouse style condominium, South of Broad, across from Rainbow Row. Just steps from the Historic Battery and Waterfront Park, this home has ...
56 Smith Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 16014729 / Sold
Lovingly cared for by the owner since 1967, this circa 1870 Charleston single, on a tree lined block of Smith Street, awaits the touches of its new...
45 Church Street
Charleston, NC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 16014607 / Sold
Extraordinary opportunity to own an 18th century Charleston single house. Built in 1769 (as evinced by a piece of mahogany signed by the builder, f...
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