What is the Story Behind Charleston Green? - Page 184
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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12 Church Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 15006873 / Sold
Sitting on a rare double lot South of Broad, this Dr. Joseph Johnson House circa 1810, is located on lower Church St. less than a block from White ...
192 Ashley Avenue UNIT A
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 15006719 / Sold
The Historic Beauregard House was built by a wealthy family of grocers in the mid 1800s and was used by General Beauregard as his headquarters duri...
61 Tradd Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 15006802 / Sold
Rare South of Broad ''Short Sale'' opportunity. Bank approved. Circa 1731. The Jacob Motte house. One of the earliest historic residences in the ci...
16 Rose Lane
Charleston, SC 29403
Downtown
Residential
MLS# 15006646 / Sold
Classic Charleston Single House built between 1850 and 1870. Convenient to College of Charleston, Medical University of SC and downtown hospitals....
74 Church Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 15006615 / Sold
Circa 1780, the Russell-Dehon Tenement at 74 Church Street is unmatched in quality and charm. Located in the heart of Charleston's famed historic d...
13 Bennett Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 15006586 / Sold
LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION one block from Calhoun near MUSC. ''As-IS'' Charming Charleston Single Historic Home! A renovation delight! Remarkable ...
25 Longitude Lane
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 15006649 / Sold
Totally renovated kitchen house on one of Charleston's most charming alleyways. House features a kitchen with granite counter tops, laundry room, l...
313 King Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 15006441 / Sold
OWN A TREASURE in the historic district, enjoy King Street shopping, and stroll to the best restaurants Charleston has to offer! Enter through the ...
1 Pitt Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 15006523 / Sold
Built in 1848, this handsome brick home, known as the Charles Henry Lanneau house, is adorned with stunning white double piazzas and nestled in the...
253 Rutledge Ave Avenue UNIT B
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough
Residential
MLS# 15006526 / Sold
Welcome home! This beautiful 2BR/2BA is on the 2nd story of the triplex. It features hardwood floors throughout, 10 ft. ceilings and a modern brigh...
72 Radcliffe Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 15006353 / Sold
Carolopis Award Winning Home! This home is a true gem in downtown Charleston and is not your typical 'Charleston Single'. The floor plan boasts a l...
85 Alexander Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Wraggborough
Residential
MLS# 15006406 / Sold
Be prepared to be impressed by this beautifully restored Charleston Single. Grand scale rooms, gorgeous heart of pine floors, crown/chair moldings...
24 Lamboll St
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 15006080 / Sold
Welcome to this charming home on Lamboll St, only a block from the Battery. You will love the peace and quiet afforded by this quaint home tucked ...
59 Church Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 15006091 / Sold
The Thomas Rose House was constructed c. 1735 and is considered one of Charleston's best preserved colonial dwellings. The house has retained many ...
22 Cooper Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 15006266 / Sold
BACK ON THE MARKET! This fabulous historical home built in 1900 and updated in 2008 has all the modern conveniences. Hardwood floors, granite count...
92 Bull Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 15006084 / Sold
A rounded porch and large rooms make this an unforgettable family home. Near MUSC and the College of Charleston this is an opportunity to buy a com...
78 Smith Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 15006092 / Sold
RENOVATION OPPORTUNITY! Amazing renovation opportunity. House has been designed as a three bedroom, three-and-half bath home with formal living ro...
36 Prioleau Street UNIT R
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 15005944 / Sold
SOne of a kind sophisticated, top-floor corner, penthouse level home on direct waterfront with unobstructed corner views of Waterfront Park & Charl...
131 Line Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 15005887 / Sold
Located in Charleston's popular Elliotborough neighborhood, this home offers all the detail & charm you're looking for. This Historic Charleston Si...
150 Bee Street UNIT #812
Charleston, SC 29401
Bee Street Lofts
Residential
MLS# 15005903 / Sold
It doesn't get much more convenient than this great location at the corner of Bee Street and Lockwood...Within walking distance to the VA, MUSC, Ro...
517 King Street UNIT #11
Charleston, SC 29403
King Street Lofts
Residential
MLS# 15005823 / Sold
The loft in the heart of downtown Charleston, located in the design district on Upper King St that many refer to as Charleston's SOHO! Dramatic soa...
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 04-23-2024 11:03 PM EST .
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