What is the Story Behind Charleston Green? - Page 203
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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330 Concord Street UNIT 12A
Charleston, SC 29401
Dockside
Residential
MLS# 1407295 / Sold
Fabulous views of the city and harbor. Enjoy sitting out on your balcony enjoying an afternoon breeze. This one bedroom condominium also has a half...
150 Bee Street UNIT #408
Charleston, SC 29401
Bee Street Lofts
Residential
MLS# 1407349 / Sold
BANK APPROVED SHORT SALE AT 279,000 MUST CLOSE BY OCTOBER 3,2014. One of the largest one bedroom spaces in the Lofts, this is a must see. It boasts...
67 Vanderhorst Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 1407041 / Sold
THE most convenient location, 67 Vanderhorst St. is a Charleston Single with 3 Bedrooms 2 and one-half baths constructed in 2003. The light fill...
14 Elizabeth Street UNIT A1
Charleston, SC 29403
Wraggborough
Residential
MLS# 1406871 / Sold
Stunning pied a terre in Charleston's most desirable neighborhood. Upscale renovation with all the quintessential and historic Charleston charm!...
171 Wentworth Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 1408172 / Sold
171 Wentworth represents an incredible opportunity to purchase a 4 bedroom home located in one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Charleston...
86 Beaufain Street UNIT B
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 1406850 / Sold
Second story condo in the heart of downtown Charleston. Close to the colleges, hospitals and the historic district. ***THIS IS AN AUCTION PROPERTY-...
2 Harleston Place
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Place
Residential
109 East Bay Street UNIT 1D
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 1406518 / Sold
This sophisticated contemporary residence in the heart of the historic district South of Broad is also located on a ridge of high ground in one of ...
72 Vanderhorst Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 1406394 / Sold
Historic home with Southern charm, located in downtown Charleston, close to College of Charleston, MUSC, shopping, dining. Home has been taken care...
32 Wentworth Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 1406249 / Sold
Close to everything Downtown Charleston has to offer in one of the most sought after areas of the historic downtown, this home is within close w...
43 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 1405923 / Sold
James Mitchell House- Circa 1798. Architecturally notable, built by Mitchell, a prosperous cooper. The former director of the US Mint, Henry Wil...
1 King Street UNIT #403
Charleston, SC 29401
Fort Sumter House
Residential
23 Elliott Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 1406015 / Sold
Sophisticated home in the heart of historic Charleston. Bright sunny rooms, updated baths and hardwood floors throughout. Fabulous gourmet kitchen ...
128 South Battery UNIT A & B
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 1406070 / Sold
Unique 2 unit duplex/condominium located South of Broad. Unit A, located on the first floor has a nice entry foyer, formal living room with fire...
62 Barre Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 1406108 / Sold
This darling downtown cottage is within a block of MUSC ROPER and all medical complexes, Cannon Park and the Charleston harbor. With such rariti...
8 S Adgers Wharf
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 1406081 / Sold
Charming house on one of the Charleston's few cobblestone streets. Three bedrooms, 2.5 baths and an open floorplan that flows well. Wonderful rear ...
123 Wentworth Street UNIT A
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 1406046 / Sold
***PRICE REDUCED--NEW INTERIOR PAINT--B NEW STAINLESS STEAL APPLIANCES IN AUGUST 2014--This is a bottom floor unit with a huge front porch and is c...
26 Archdale Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 1405867 / Sold
Totally renovated townhouse in the heart of the city with a private garage. Beautiful hardwood floors throughout with dark stain and open stairw...
2 Canal Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 1405992 / Sold
Located in historic Harleston Village (est. circa 1770), this is a great family home with move-in readiness or many possibilities for future cha...
182 Broad Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Historic District
Residential
MLS# 1406010 / Sold
Available for the first time in over 40 years and waiting to be renovated. Gorgeous tree shaded home with gracious wrap around piazzas. Spacious en...
78 Pitt Street UNIT A&B
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 1406198 / Sold
Location, Location, Location! Don't miss out on this beautifully restored, high-end duplex. In 2011 this home underwent a massive restoration, w...
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 10:30 PM EST .
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