What is the Story Behind Charleston Green? - Page 177
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!
Modify Search Criteria
7 Magazine Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 15024365 / Sold
Downtown chic! This two story complete remodel will amaze you with its classy style. This traditional Charleston Single has all of the charm from...
330 Concord Street UNIT 17b
Charleston, SC 29401
Dockside
Residential
MLS# 15024578 / Sold
Spectacular views from the seventeenth floor are simply breathtaking. Three balconies- north, south and west. Gracious entrance has handsome wall o...
150 Bee Street UNIT #604
Charleston, SC 29401
Bee Street Lofts
Residential
MLS# 15024501 / Sold
Bee Street lofts provides the modern comforts and cutting edge features you would expect from contemporary urban living in a world class City. Open...
115 Rutledge Avenue UNIT 1/2
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 15024177 / Sold
Tucked away on a quiet alley in the heart of Harleston Village, this updated 1930's home offers privacy, an inviting floor plan and a prime locatio...
2 Wharfside Drive UNIT 4d
Charleston, SC 29401
Laurens Place
Residential
MLS# 15024032 / Sold
Luxurious waterfront condo. This fourth floor unit features ten ft. ceilings, all hardword floors, two balconies with fabulous views, master suite ...
181 Wentworth Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 15024074 / Sold
This is a true ''Charleston Charmer'' located in the heart of historic downtown Charleston! TWO driveways line either side of the property with eno...
5 Coming
Charleston, SC 29401
Residential
MLS# 15023755 / Sold
Fantastic Opportunity! Great Location! Charming Duplex Steps from C of C and King Street Shopping!!
7 Logan Street UNIT E
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 15023764 / Sold
Nicely updated first floor end unit located on quiet one way street with off street parking. Unit has off street parking and a common lawn area. ...
13 Pitt Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 15023475 / Sold
The Henry Gerdts House is a stunning three story Greek Revival home. A true architectural masterpiece, the front of this historic property is orna...
39 Drake Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
Great Investment Opportunity!!! The East Side neighborhood in Charleston is in the midst of a massive revitalization, and there are some truly amaz...
Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Wagener Terrace
Residential
MLS# 15023245 / Sold
Investor or cash only buyer.....This townhouse is an investors dream located in the the heart of downtown minutes away from Hampton Park, The Citad...
47 Queen Street UNIT B
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 15023030 / Sold
History, the arts, epicurean delights, shopping - all are only a short stroll from the front door of this French Quarter condominium. One block fro...
36 Harleston Place
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Place
Residential
MLS# 15022981 / Sold
FOR SALE and IMMEDIATE OCCUPANCY! 36 Harleston Street. Historical Downtown Charleston. Completely Furnished and Outfitted. TASTEFUL, STUNNING DESIG...
184 East Bay UNIT #201
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 15023013 / Sold
Historic Charleston charm abounds in this French Quarter condo. Built in 1900 but renovated in 2015 with top notch finishes, this space features e...
33 Pitt Street UNIT #1
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 15022543 / Sold
Interior of condo just repainted!Ready to move into!Lovely 1st floor condo located in beautiful downtown Charleston within walking distance of MUSC...
150 N Bee Street UNIT #803
Charleston, SC 29401
Bee Street Lofts
Residential
MLS# 15022595 / Sold
Penthouse with 20 foot ceilings and the absolute best views in Downtown Charleston, two balconies overlooking Ashley River and Joe Riley Stadium. ...
45 Vanderhorst Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 15022678 / Sold
LUXURY & LOCATION 45 Vanderhorst is a well-appointed, delightful, and bright classic Charleston single located in the heart of downtown Charleston....
14 Montagu Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 15021939 / Sold
An investment that has been truly impervious to market conditions.Excellently located within steps of College of Charleston. There are two building...
38 N Adgers Wharf
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 15021849 / Sold
A rare opportunity to own an amazing street to street home South of Broad. This light, bright, renovated two story attached townhouse has it ALL! ...
33 Calhoun Street UNIT #123
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 15021759 / Sold
Great one bedroom condominium located in the historic district with covered parking and a balcony overlooking Gadsden Park. Repairs underway to ta...
66-B Gadsden Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 15021568 / Sold
HARLESTON row comprises six extraordinary new rowhomes in Downtown Charleston, in the heart of Harleston Village, just a few blocks from restaurant...
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 05-01-2024 10:25 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.
Copyright 2024 Charleston Trident Multiple Listing Service, Inc. All rights reserved.
