What is the Story Behind Charleston Green? - Page 180
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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81 Hanover Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 15014106 / Sold
Located only a couple blocks from the Post and Courier development and the Cigar factory, this 3br/2.5ba house is right in the center of the boomin...
55 Hasell Street UNIT E
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 15013951 / Sold
Quite location in historic Ansonborough with a security gate, off street parking and a private patio. This 1830's dependency features a living roo...
330 Concord Street UNIT Th7
Charleston, SC 29401
Dockside
Residential
MLS# 15014052 / Sold
Fully updated and well appointed Dockside Townhouse 7 offers a practical floor plan wrapped in windows for nice natural light. Entry into a nice Di...
7 Coming Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 15013734 / Sold
Welcome to this charming, historic Charleston Single home located within walking distance of College of Charleston, MUSC, King St. shopping and res...
29 Sires Street UNIT A
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 15013685 / Sold
Outstanding renovation in Downtown Charleston's Hottest Neighborhood. Walking distance to Midtown King Street's awesome restaurants and trendy shop...
33 Lockwood Drive UNIT D-28
Charleston, SC 29401
The Harborage At Ashley Marina
Residential
MLS# 15013467 / Sold
Slip D-8 40ft X 17.5ft Very accessibly within the marina and close to the parking lot. Ashley Marina is located near the Historic District in downt...
15 Prices Alley
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 15013569 / Sold
Beautiful Fitzsimmons townhome on quiet Prices Alley. 3 spacious bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths, living room has period Adam mantel, original heart pine ...
6-8 Gillon Street
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 15013223 / Sold
Very unique & one of the most photographed buildings in Charleston. Built in 1820, 6-8 Gillon is tucked away on a quiet cobblestone street just off...
281 Coming Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 15013197 / Sold
Closing delayed due to IRS tax lien issues currently being cleared. A fabulous opportunity to purchase and renovate a home in the up and coming are...
3 Queen Street UNIT #306
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 15013063 / Sold
Own a piece of history just steps away from the Charleston Harbor! Built in 1880, Queens Gate was converted in 1987 from a warehouse into luxury co...
13 Kirkland Lane
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 15012986 / Sold
Newly renovated semi-detached townhome-style condo with TWO CAR GARAGE! plus one assigned off street parking space!Location is midway between Colon...
24 Cannon Street UNIT B
Charleston, SC 29403
Midtown
Residential
WELCOME to the very center of all that is happening downtown Charleston! Midtown is all about convenience, location and upscale living but for a m...
315 King Street UNIT #206
Charleston, SC 29401
Downtown
Residential
MLS# 15012780 / Sold
Like no other loft-style residences in Charleston! Davidson Lofts is an elegant, urban, above-street transformation of one of the city's most notab...
32 Vendue Range UNIT #403
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 15012733 / Sold
The perfect pied-a-terre for weekend stays or an in-town residence in the heart of The French Quarter--a true sense of community in an urban settin...
1 Vendue Range UNIT B
Charleston, SC 29401
Vendue Range
Residential
MLS# 15012909 / Sold
One Vendue- Location, Location, Location! Beautiful light filled corner condominium overlooks historic Prioleau Street. Meticulously maintained. S...
9 Legare Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 15012847 / Sold
The Harth-Macbeth House represents South of Broad living at its finest. Sitting on a corner lot on Lower Legare Street, this meticulously maintaine...
60 Rutledge Avenue
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 15012826 / Sold
This is a Charleston Single on the corner of Rutledge and Beaufain.... a spot that satisfies the 'location, location, location' quest. It enjoys a...
149 Tradd Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 15012583 / Sold
Mint condition, very charming South of Broad ""Garden Cottage"", recently renovated on historic Tradd Street. Freshly painted inside and out, new s...
48 South Battery UNIT 1/2
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 15012585 / Sold
Recent upgrades and renovation offer easy elegance in this secluded 18th century masonry and stucco carriage house. Privacy and charm in a great lo...
330 Concord Street UNIT 7-E
Charleston, SC 29401
Dockside
Residential
MLS# 15012432 / Sold
The beautifully renovated 7th floor condo has incredible water and bridge views. Hardwood and tile floors. Large living and dining with access to o...
5 East Battery
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 15012179 / Sold
1848 John Ravenel House: Main house with 7 bedrooms, carriage house with 3 bedrooms, double lot, garden and pool. Charleston landmark stands in w...
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