What is the Story Behind Charleston Green? - Page 189
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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251 Ashley Avenue UNIT B
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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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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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This unit is under construction. The bottom unit A is listed on MLS and available immediately
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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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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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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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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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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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LOCATION unmatched. Private court with 6 homes, near Ashley Hall. Great layout with maximum use of square footage. All rooms are fairly large. 1ST ...