What is the Story Behind Charleston Green? - Page 189

Charleston Green

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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Displaying results 3949-3969 of 5239
1 Photos Sold 251 Ashley Avenue UNIT B Charleston, SC 29403

251 Ashley Avenue UNIT B
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough
Residential

MLS# 14027528 / Sold
2 br, 2 ba, 891 Sqft

Welcome to Ashley Avenue first floor Unit B. Located downtown Charleston! Conveniently located minutes from MUSC, College of Charleston, Citadel an... 

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Sold Price: $215,000
Provided courtesy of Carolina One Real Estate
1 Photos Sold 65 Vanderhorst Street UNIT H Charleston, SC 29403

65 Vanderhorst Street UNIT H
Charleston, SC 29403
Residential

MLS# 14027365 / Sold
1 br, 1 ba, 696 Sqft

This charming Charleston condo lives LARGE and is located in a grand historic home, built in the 1830's, which has since been converted into indivi... 

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Sold Price: $319,000
Provided courtesy of The Cassina Group
1 Photos Sold 32 Mary Street UNIT A Charleston, SC 29403

32 Mary Street UNIT A
Charleston, SC 29403
Wraggborough
Residential

MLS# 14027398 / Sold
3 br, 2 ba, 1 Half Bath, 1800 Sqft

Townhouse style home just off Meeting Street and the many new developments in the area. The house has an open floor plan with a large kitchen, sta... 

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Sold Price: $550,000
Provided courtesy of Applegate Real Estate
1 Photos Sold 18 Broad Street UNIT #501 Charleston, SC 29401

18 Broad Street UNIT #501
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential

MLS# 14027304 / Sold
3 br, 3 ba, 3023 Sqft

This luxury apartment in The People's Building, Charleston's first skyscraper and second tallest building in downtown Charleston, boasts 360-degree... 

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Sold Price: $2,345,000
Provided courtesy of Handsome Properties, Inc.
1 Photos Sold 46 Society Street Charleston, SC 29401

46 Society Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential

MLS# 14027250 / Sold
4 br, 5 ba, 3986 Sqft

Circa 1840, this newly renovated Jonah M. Venning house offers all modern features while residing in a handsome Greek revival home. The main house ... 

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Sold Price: $2,100,000
Provided courtesy of Carriage Properties LLC
1 Photos Sold 14 Greenhill Street Charleston, SC 29401

14 Greenhill Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential

MLS# 14027074 / Sold
4 br, 4 ba, 1 Half Bath, 4600 Sqft

Rare opportunity to buy an almost new house tucked away in the Historic District. Gracious formal rooms open from foyer with custom stairway. Gourm... 

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Sold Price: $2,750,000
Provided courtesy of Carriage Properties LLC
1 Photos Sold 2 Gadsden UNIT D Charleston, SC 29401

2 Gadsden UNIT D
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential

MLS# 14027052 / Sold
3 br, 2 ba, 1 Half Bath, 1404 Sqft

a great location for this Charleston SC downtown, fee simple town house with no regime or HOA fees. This 3 bedroom 2.5 bath includes 3 off street p... 

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Sold Price: $450,000
Provided courtesy of REMAX Advanced Realty
1 Photos Sold 14 Savage Street Charleston, SC 29401

14 Savage Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential

MLS# 1426978 / Sold
4 br, 2 ba, 1 Half Bath, 2822 Sqft

In a quiet section of Charleston's South of Broad neighborhood, 14 Savage Street is the largest, most private parcel on the street. Built soon afte... 

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Sold Price: $1,300,000
Provided courtesy of Carriage Properties LLC
1 Photos Sold 46 State Street UNIT D Charleston, SC 29401

46 State Street UNIT D
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential

MLS# 1426764 / Sold
2 br, 1 ba, 1 Half Bath, 1186 Sqft

Great location for perfect pied-a-terre in the vibrant French Quarter. Part of Lodge Alley Inn, in the old warehouse structure dating to 1812 that ... 

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Sold Price: $540,000
Provided courtesy of Carriage Properties LLC
1 Photos Sold 48 Montagu Street UNIT B Charleston, SC 29401

48 Montagu Street UNIT B
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential

MLS# 1426983 / Sold
2 br, 2 ba, 1263 Sqft

This unit is under construction. The bottom unit A is listed on MLS and available immediately 

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Sold Price: $490,000
Provided courtesy of Hayden Jennings Properties
1 Photos Sold 9 Bedons Charleston, SC 29401

9 Bedons
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential

MLS# 1426576 / Sold
3 br, 2 ba, 1 Half Bath, 2331 Sqft

Tucked away on quaint, historic Bedons Alley, this 1740's home is brimming with charm. Known as the Mackie-Holton house, the historic property was ... 

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Sold Price: $1,600,000
Provided courtesy of The Cassina Group
1 Photos Sold 27 Smith Street Charleston, SC 29401

27 Smith Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential

MLS# 1426681 / Sold
6 br, 4 ba, 2 Half Bath, 3710 Sqft

A Charleston Single with a well-flowing interior floor plan, plus a charming attached carriage house in Harleston Village. Original mouldings and m... 

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Sold Price: $850,000
Provided courtesy of William Means Real Estate, LLC
1 Photos Sold 5 Aiken Street Charleston, SC 29403

5 Aiken Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential

MLS# 1426796 / Sold
6 br, 2 ba, 2080 Sqft

A Great opportunity to purchase a two story duplex in the heart of downtown Charleston. Amazing rental opportunity, live in one and rent the other,... 

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Sold Price: $266,800
Provided courtesy of Marshall Walker Real Estate
1 Photos Sold 330 Concord Street UNIT 9d Charleston, SC 29401

330 Concord Street UNIT 9d
Charleston, SC 29401
Dockside
Residential

MLS# 1426200 / Sold
2 br, 2 ba, 1323 Sqft

Beautifully renovated Dockside condo with stunning water and bridge views. Gourmet kitchen with granite counter tops overlooks large open living ar... 

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Sold Price: $575,000
Provided courtesy of Carriage Properties LLC
1 Photos Sold 95 Smith Street UNIT #1 Charleston, SC 29401

95 Smith Street UNIT #1
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Green
Residential

MLS# 1426595 / Sold
5 br, 3 ba, 2625 Sqft

 

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Sold Price: $450,000
Provided courtesy of Carolina One Real Estate
1 Photos Sold 28 South Battery Street Charleston, SC 29401

28 South Battery Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential

MLS# 1426212 / Sold
4 br, 4 ba, 1 Half Bath, 5000 Sqft

The George S. Cook house, circa 1860, is a magnificent Italianate home with Gothic Revival influences. It was built by noted Civil War photographer... 

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Sold Price: $3,150,000
Provided courtesy of Carriage Properties LLC
1 Photos Sold 67 Vanderhorst Street Charleston, SC 29403

67 Vanderhorst Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential

MLS# 1426216 / Sold
3 br, 2 ba, 1 Half Bath, 1925 Sqft

CHARMING HOME ON A WONDERFUL CORNER ON CHARLESTON'S PENINSULA. EASY WALK TO MUSC, RESTAURANTS AND RETAIL SHOPS! THE HOME WAS BUILT IN 2001 MAKING I... 

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Sold Price: $695,000
Provided courtesy of Carolina One Real Estate
1 Photos Sold 16 Savage Street Charleston, SC 29401

16 Savage Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential

MLS# 1426226 / Sold
3 br, 2 ba, 1 Half Bath, 2700 Sqft

This Lovely, updated Charleston Single located South of Broad offers gracious rooms with tall ceilings and 4 working gas fireplaces. The galley sty... 

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Sold Price: $1,417,500
Provided courtesy of Belser Thompson Real Estate
1 Photos Sold 150 Bee Street UNIT #616 Charleston, SC 29401

150 Bee Street UNIT #616
Charleston, SC 29401
Bee Street Lofts
Residential

MLS# 1426225 / Sold
2 br, 2 ba, 1164 Sqft

*** NOW FOR SALE *** TALK ABOUT A LUXURIOUS LIFESTYLE AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE...DOES IT GET ANY BETTER THAN A BEE STREET LOFT..BIG APPLE ARCHITECTUR... 

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Sold Price: $324,900
Provided courtesy of Fred Holland Realty
1 Photos Sold 48 Montagu Street UNIT A Charleston, SC 29401

48 Montagu Street UNIT A
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential

MLS# 1425904 / Sold
2 br, 2 ba, 1 Half Bath, 1263 Sqft

LOCATION, LOCATION!! FABULOUS newly renovated unit on the first floor is perfect for a lock and leave situation. 12' ceilings, restored moldings an... 

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Sold Price: $495,000
Provided courtesy of Hayden Jennings Properties
1 Photos Sold 6 Talon Court Charleston, SC 29403

6 Talon Court
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential

MLS# 1425746 / Sold
3 br, 2 ba, 1 Half Bath, 1914 Sqft

LOCATION unmatched. Private court with 6 homes, near Ashley Hall. Great layout with maximum use of square footage. All rooms are fairly large. 1ST ... 

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Sold Price: $600,000
Provided courtesy of Carolina One Real Estate
Residential, Land, Other Disclaimer:

Broker Reciprocity 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 03-28-2024 3:29 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.
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