What is the Story Behind Charleston Green? - Page 169
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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8 Queen Street
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 16004962 / Sold
Built in 1796 by Joseph Olman, this three story stucco building originally functioned as Smitty's Cabinet Shop on the first floor with a residence ...
195 Rutledge Avenue
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 16005080 / Sold
This home located in Radcliffeborough of downtown Charleston truly is a step back in time. The 1890 home features a beautiful Southern front porch ...
182 Tradd Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 16004886 / Sold
Gracious, elegant home situated on a high corner lot landscaped by Sheila Wertimer. Separate heated and cooled building can be workshop or artist s...
28 Warren Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 16004873 / Sold
Circa 1890, The Sophia Wilson HouseA masterful renovation has been completed on this fabulous house just one block west of King Street. Beautiful t...
2 Laurens Street UNIT 4b
Charleston, SC 29401
Gadsdenboro
Residential
MLS# 16004690 / Sold
Luxurious Condo located on the top floor (4th floor) of the Anson House offers gracious views of the city and Concord park. State of the art kitche...
19 Rose Lane
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 16004673 / Sold
If a downtown home is what you're looking for, come see this adorable well-kept charmer, totally renovated by the owner during the last three years...
57 Montagu Street UNIT A
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 16004800 / Sold
Beautifully renovated 2 bedroom 2 1/2 full bath 1500 sq. ft. first floor condominium with a classic front porch in a circa 1915 building. The front...
16 Duncan Street UNIT B
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 16004784 / Sold
Loft room overlooking living room could be used as study or possible third bedroom without bath. Heart pine floors and lots of light. Porch. Very q...
52 Spring Street UNIT A
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 16004578 / Sold
DUPLEX IN THE HIGHLY DESIRED Cannonborough-Elliotborough Neighborhood
175 Concord Street UNIT Ph 402
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 16004450 / Sold
Penthouse in a designer condo complex in the heart of the French Quarter. Expansive water views from kitchen, living room and two bedrooms of this...
95 Lenwood Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 16005433 / Sold
This renovated South of Broad home is steeped with history and move in ready. Once a civil war hospital it is now a beautiful home with a wonderful...
175 Concord UNIT #106
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 16004500 / Sold
This is a beautiful 2 br 2 ba condo located across from Waterfront Park in one of the best locations in downtown Charleston. Balcony overlooks Con...
83 Cooper Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 16004427 / Sold
Enjoy beautiful views of the cityscape and Ravenel bridge from this fantastic, brand new house. Situated between the Cigar Factory and the Post and...
150 Bee Street UNIT #316
Charleston, SC 29401
Bee Street Lofts
Residential
MLS# 16004339 / Sold
Welcome home to Bee Street Lofts! Upon entering this unit you will be greeted by majestic 10 foot ceilings and a warm polished concrete floor that ...
350 King Street UNIT #305
Charleston, SC 29401
Historic District
Residential
MLS# 16004274 / Sold
Don't miss this opportunity to own your little piece of Charleston. This one bedroom, one bathroom condo is located in the heart of the Historic Di...
175 Wentworth Street UNIT B
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 16003992 / Sold
This charming Circa 1840's condo is in the heart of Harleston Village. Large living spaces, heart of pine floors, split bedroom plan, fireplace, g...
47 Tradd Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 16003857 / Sold
This quaint masonry carriage house offers 1/possibly 2 bedrooms and full bath plus its own private patio/garden. Off-street parking. Property is b...
17 Water Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 16003727 / Sold
Ready for the Historic Register, this home is one of the oldest in Charleston(Circa 1750)First Cobbler's house in Charleston.Best location on the P...
301 Broad Street UNIT #2
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 16003635 / Sold
Charming, light-filled two bedroom Condominium in a very convenient South of Broad location. Enter into the living room with picture molding, arc...
51 Drake Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 16003545 / Sold
Fabulous investment opportunity with great potential. This duplex has 2 levels each boasting two bedrooms with one full bath and one half bath. L...
12 Felix Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 16003527 / Sold
Come see this bright and charming historic home in the middle of the hottest neighborhood in town - Elliotborough, close to Upper King, CofC and MU...
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 04-19-2024 11:05 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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