What is the Story Behind Charleston Green? - Page 17
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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39 Spring Street UNIT B
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 23018261 / Sold
Located 1/2 block from Downtown Charleston's iconic King Street, 39 Spring B is a beautifully designed fully stocked/furnished short term rental, l...
173 Jackson Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Residential
MLS# 23018375 / Sold
Owner will not do any repairs, sold as is. Showings are available by appointments. Sell of property is contingent to seller buying a home. Cute lit...
150 Bee Street UNIT #715
Charleston, SC 29401
Bee Street Lofts
Residential
MLS# 23018250 / Sold
PRICE REDUCED. The only unit available with TWO DEEDED PARKING SPOTS. Modern city living is here at the Bee Street Lofts just steps from the Medica...
6 Percy Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 23018171 / Sold
There is nothing like this on the market. Historic curb appeal meets modern design. Studs out renovation built by Jeff Bolen and professionally des...
330 Concord Street UNIT Th5
Charleston, SC 29401
Dockside
Residential
MLS# 23018074 / Sold
Welcome to 330 Concord Townhouse 5, a stunning renovated townhome located in the heart of downtown Charleston, SC. This home perfectly combines his...
174 Broad Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 23019079 / Sold
This 4 BR/4.5 BA historic home welcomes you home to a time when elegance and grandeur prevailed along Charleston's historic Broad Street. A true oa...
38 Tradd Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 23017926 / Active
This historic gem stands as one of the oldest properties that remains standing on the Peninsula. Built in 1718 by John Bullock as part of a 2 build...
Reduced -$125,000
125 Line Street UNIT A
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 23017748 / Sold
Welcome to 125 Line Street Unit A! This cute home features 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, a luxury kitchen, off-street parking, a front porch, a washer and dr...
175 Concord Street UNIT #101
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 23017754 / Active Contingent
Luxurious Downtown Charleston living awaits you in this pied-a-terre nestled in the French Quarter. Park your car in your spot in the covered garag...
Reduced -$115,000
350 King Street UNIT #207
Charleston, SC 29401
King Street Lofts
Residential
MLS# 23017750 / Sold
What a great, move in ready, condo in the heart of downtown Charleston! Welcome to King Street, one of the most popular destination streets in the...
202 Ashley Ave UNIT B
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough
Residential
MLS# 23017579 / Sold
Welcome to this recently renovated studio in the heart of downtown Charleston! This turn-key condo includes a deeded parking space, washer/dryer co...
309 Meeting Street UNIT #19
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 23017358 / Sold
Location, location, location! Fancy a Saturday morning Farmer's Market featuring farm fresh produce, local artists, music, or maybe a meal? How abo...
609 King Street UNIT #607
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 23017372 / Pending
Coming in 2026! The Peninsula of Charleston is an ownership-model, continuing care retirement community (CCRC) on highly desirable upper King Stree...
76 Vanderhorst Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 23017169 / Sold
Welcome to 76 Vanderhorst Street, an exquisite gem nestled in the heart of Downtown Charleston. This captivating Charleston single-style home effor...
21 George Street UNIT #103
Charleston, SC 29401
George And Society
Residential
MLS# 23017107 / Sold
Recently renovated in 2019, this condo is perfectly located just one block from King Street - where shopping, restaurants, and entertainment are ri...
17 Water Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 23017075 / Active Contingent
South of Broad! Main House, Kitchen House and Carriage House! The Tobias Scott House 1867-1868 Scott was known as an artist and his legacy is that ...
4 Coming Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 23016915 / Sold
Nestled in the heart of downtown Charleston, 4 Coming Street presents a unique opportunity to own an income-producing residence with an impressive ...
40 State Street UNIT #1
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 23016936 / Sold
Modern luxury meets old world charm in Charleston's highly sought-after historic French Quarter district. This distinctive first level condo offers...
14 Lockwood Drive UNIT 3k
Charleston, SC 29401
Ashley House
Residential
MLS# 23016818 / Sold
$275,000 in 29401! You CAN live Downtown Charleston WITH parking! Super convenient location just across from the City Marina, Ashley River, and MUS...
81 East Bay Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 23016916 / Sold
Welcome to this charming and recently renovated one-bedroom ground floor condominium, ideally situated at the corner of Tradd and East Bay. As you ...
12 Bee Street UNIT B
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough
Residential
MLS# 23016687 / Sold
Welcome to 12 Bee Street, where modern living meets historic charm! Nestled in the heart of Charleston this 2 bed condo located in a beautifully co...
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 04-15-2024 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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