What is the Story Behind Charleston Green? - Page 202
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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32 Prioleau Street UNIT M
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 1408985 / Sold
One Vendue Range Condominiums, located right on Charleston Harbor are considered by many to be the Top Condo Residences in Charleston. They overloo...
34 Church Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 1408827 / Sold
Very charming, South of Broad beautifully maintained 3 and a half story Federal style ''Charleston Single'', sits within one of the most picture...
Atlantic Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 1408796 / Sold
Wonderful carriage house in convenient South Of Broad location with great views of Charleston Harbor. People have said that the outside of the home...
108 Smith Street UNIT H
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 1408299 / Sold
Enjoy living within walking distance of chic King Street, Marion Square, CofC and MUSC. This beautiful Charleston single built in 1987 is locate...
253 Rutledge Avenue UNIT A
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 1409311 / Sold
Historic home converted into three units and thoughtfully updated to combine the best of the old with the new. Enjoy the benefit of this first f...
36 Cannon Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Midtown
Residential
MLS# 1408805 / Sold
36 Cannon in Midtown of Charleston, a progressive urban neighborhood, offers sleek design and comfortable living. Two steel entry porches welcom...
9 Talon Court
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 1408672 / Sold
CHARMING Downtown Charleston single home in GREAT location. Located only minutes away from CofC and MUSC, this beautiful home has been extremely...
33 Lockwood Drive UNIT I 24
Charleston, SC 29401
The Harborage At Ashley Marina
Residential
MLS# 1408591 / Sold
Well-protected from tidal surge and vessel wakes; yet this 40 foot boat slip has generous wide open area behind for maneuvering the most unwieldy b...
63 Rutledge Avenue UNIT #32
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 1408465 / Sold
Have you always dreamed of living in the heart of Charleston? Or perhaps you're looking for an out of this world investment opportunity? This on...
182 Ashley Avenue UNIT A
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 1408469 / Sold
This lovely condo in the historic district of Radcliffeborough is in fantastic condition and emanates charm from every room. It is one of only t...
20 King Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 1408448 / Sold
First time on the market in many years! Currently being used as a triplex. Easily converted back to single family. New HVAC unit on first floor. La...
143 Beaufain Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 1408333 / Sold
Welcome to 143 Beaufain St, located in historic downtown Charleston, SC. This stunning home, built in 2000, located within a block of the Ashley Ri...
14 Lockwood Drive UNIT 2A
Charleston, SC 29401
Ashley House
Residential
MLS# 1408281 / Sold
Apartment 2A is a studio unit offering expansive views of historic Downtown, the City Marina and the Ashley River. Highlights include a galley s...
181 Broad Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 1408718 / Sold
Motivated Seller offers this very special home with the Soul of an artist, expressed by the very special fixtures, lighting and artistic express...
189 Broad Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 1408218 / Sold
Tastefully updated 3 br, 3 bath townhouse with classic French doors opening from the spacious living room over the courtyard. Handsome hardwood ...
50 Reid Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 1407842 / Sold
Cute home with lots of character. The owner has put a lot of love into this home and is looking for someone to enjoy it as much as she has. There i...
7 Cordes Street
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 1407902 / Sold
The ideal live/work downtown property or a chic historic residence, 7 & 9 Cordes Street is located in the heart of the French Quarter and zoned ...
17 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 1407788 / Sold
For comp purposes only. Sitting on two lots on Lower Meeting Street, the Samuel Chadwick House is positioned just steps away from White Point Ga...
62 Cannon Street UNIT 1/2
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough
Residential
MLS# 1407755 / Sold
THIS IS THE WHOLE HOUSE - Both upstairs and downstairs units. Zoned both residential and commercial - this is one of three sister houses in betw...
28 Limehouse Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 1407418 / Sold
Beautifully maintained, Colonial style home, located in Charleston's premier South of Broad neighborhood. Just steps from the Battery and a shor...
150 Bee Street UNIT #706
Charleston, SC 29401
Bee Street Lofts
Residential
MLS# 1407307 / Sold
Located immediately below the penthouse, this gorgeous one bedroom condo has a spectacular view of the Ashley River, guaranteed to make you swoon! ...
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 05-03-2024 11:30 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.
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