What is the Story Behind Charleston Green? - Page 204
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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38 Ashley Avenue UNIT B
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 1404055 / Sold
Completely renovated historic Victorian home South of Broad. Ideally located a few blocks from King Street shopping, MUSC and the Charleston Mar...
11 Hanover Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 1404016 / Sold
Cute little bungalow in sought after downtown Charleston, walking distance to most anything. House to be sold in as is condition, refrigerator to c...
151 Line Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 1403788 / Sold
Excellent opportunity to own an income producing duplex within walking distance to the upper King Street revitalization! This large 2,212 square...
29 Bogard Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 1403773 / Sold
Active Contingent pending financing...well located duplex in downtown Charleston...upstairs and downstairs are both 940 square feet...each unit has...
53 Tradd Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 1403789 / Sold
Fabulous 18th Century Masonry, Circa 1735. Recent renovation, off-street parking, walled courtyard garden. For comp purposes only.
20 Water Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 1403723 / Sold
This is a fully renovated house priced to sell. Basically re-built...steel beams, new heat pump, new interior and exterior shutters, etc. Charming ...
3 Chisolm Street UNIT #101
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 1403791 / Sold
For comp purposes only. Quiet, sophisticated, desirable 3 Chisolm. This first floor corner space is turn key, tall ceilings, fireplace (not vented)...
40 Montagu Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 1403374 / Sold
Circa 1891, The Bernard Wohler House, The Perfect combination of Queen Anne and Eastlake style, sited on a deep ''Harleston'' lot of over 130'. Ver...
88 Morris Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 1402951 / Sold
Price Reduced for quick sale. Strictly ''AS IS''at this price. Great location in rapidly changing area surrounded by new construction and renovatio...
116 Beaufain Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 1403393 / Sold
Turn of the century home steps away from Colonial Lake and the Ashley/City marinas and South of Broad. A short walk to downtown King Street rest...
32 Harleston Place
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Place
Residential
MLS# 1403570 / Sold
Enjoy the best downtown living has to offer. Conveniently located in Harleston Village (Lockwood and Wentworth), this 4 bedroom Charleston singl...
67 Legare Street UNIT #405
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 1403237 / Sold
Remarkable penthouse condo in the Crafts House located in Downtown Historic Charleston within easy walking distance of restaurants, shopping and th...
45 Church Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 1403554 / Sold
This extraordinary property offers a rare opportunity to own an impeccably maintained 18th century Charleston single. Encompassing the corner of...
3 Bennett Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 1403099 / Sold
Circa 1910, this charming home is full of remarkable details! Original wood paneling and pocket doors, unique, hand-carved mantelpieces, tile fi...
14 Ascot
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Green
Residential
MLS# 1402660 / Sold
14 Ascot Alley is one of the best townhomes (not a condo) in Harleston Green. It is within walking distance to MUSC, Roper Hospital, Charleston ...
83 Line Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 1403118 / Sold
Completely Restored 1830 Home from top to bottom!! Spacious with lots of light, Granite Kitchen Counter tops with a Stainless Steel Package. 6 Bedr...
105 Cooper Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 1403002 / Sold
Don't miss your opportunity to own a Freedman's Cottage in a PRIME LOCATION in downtown Charleston. BRAND NEW kitchen cabinets, new counter tops, n...
33 Lockwood Drive UNIT T6
Charleston, SC 29401
The Harborage At Ashley Marina
Residential
MLS# 1402988 / Sold
One of the nicest and most affordable boat slips at the Ashley Marina. Great location downtown Charleston close to shopping and restaurants. Wonder...
36 Drake Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 1402843 / Sold
Welcome to the up and coming East Side! Long term tenants in place, lease ends May 2015. This townhome boasts new carpet, new paint throughout, a n...
44 Charlotte Street UNIT A
Charleston, SC 29403
Wraggborough
Residential
MLS# 1402885 / Sold
Built Circa 1834 by William Henry Houston, the ""Houston House"" Is a wonderful Greek Revival home in Wraggborough. The Historic Charleston Foun...
20 Charlestowne Court
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 1402443 / Sold
Great location in downtown Charleston's Harleston Village! This townhouse is a little over a block north of Broad Street and just under two bloc...
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 04-20-2024 12:03 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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