What is the Story Behind Charleston Green? - Page 251
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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2 Laurens Street UNIT 4F
Charleston, SC 29401
Gadsdenboro
Residential
MLS# 1011950 / Sold
VIEWS OF THE COOPER RIVER. Ultimate luxury beyond limit in downtown Charleston; this 3936 sf three bedroom home has it all, even a doorman to he...
2 Laurens Street UNIT 3C
Charleston, SC 29401
Gadsdenboro
Residential
MLS# 1011922 / Sold
Ultimate luxury beyond limit in downtown Charleston; this two bedroom home has it all, even a doorman to help you with your packages and greet y...
2 Laurens Street UNIT 2F
Charleston, SC 29401
Gadsdenboro
Residential
MLS# 1011848 / Sold
Ultimate luxury beyond limit in downtown Charleston! Features include granite floored private elevator foyer, gourmet kitchen with fine custom cabi...
63 Rutledge Avenue UNIT #21
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 1011547 / Sold
Views of Colonial Lake from this art deco style condominium in historic Harleston Village. This is a second floor end apartment. Included is a f...
47 Queen Street
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 1011429 / Sold
Fabulous property in the heart of vibrant French Quarter neighborhood. Lots of possibilities, can have three separate units or convert to single fa...
35 Savage Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 1011038 / Sold
Charming South of Broad residence, well located on convenient quiet street. This late 19th century Charleston Single was enhanced with a comfortabl...
52 America Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 1010223 / Sold
Must see to appreciate! This Charleston Single House, built in 1853, has been completely renovated with a new two story addition in the rear. Ea...
84 King Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 1009769 / Sold
Traditional solid brick single house with stucco overlay (circa 1785) offered with one off-street parking space makes a great full or part time res...
140 Broad Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 1006422 / Sold
Huge Price Reduction, take a look at this one again!! Circa 1870. Huger House, Grand Charleston Estate, Italianate in style, fabulous entry hall, d...
317 East Bay Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 1005112 / Sold
2009 Designer House for the Charleston Symphony. Fabulous location near the up and coming new waterfront corridor with the new cruise terminal , An...
4 Beaufain Street UNIT #303
Charleston, SC 29401
Downtown
Residential
MLS# 1007567 / Sold
No.4 Beaufain, a l875 period atelier has been stylishly converted to New York Chic flats and offers an enviable pied-a-terre address in the art,...
6 Lamboll Street UNIT 1/2
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 1004602 / Sold
ENTERED FOR COMP PURPOSES ONLY.............................The Carlton Davies house draws your eye toward its beautifully manicured gardens and ...
36 Reid Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 1004597 / Sold
Back on the market! LARGE CLASSIC CHARLESTON SINGLE with great double porches. Whether it's morning coffee, or afternoon sunsets. You choose, SF...
106 Church Street UNIT C
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 1003961 / Sold
Spacious 2nd floor condominium that encompasses the entire footprint of the building, containing hardwood floors, high ceilings, and a private deck...
12 Bee Street UNIT G
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough
Residential
MLS# 1000466 / Sold
Beautiful historic home/condo located close to just about everything. Only a short walk around the corner to Hominy Grill. across the street fro...
12 Bee Street UNIT C
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough
Residential
MLS# 1000456 / Sold
This condo is a one of a kind, a must see. this 1 bedroom, 1 bath has a private entrance and domed interior ceiling, which at one time was claim...
12 Bee Street UNIT B
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough
Residential
MLS# 1000402 / Sold
JUST REDUCED FOR QUICK SALE! Excellent location, across the street from MUSC. Just around the corner to dine at Hominy Grill (are you hungry). Only...
1 Elliott Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 2931494 / Sold
Fabulous views and location on Charleston Harbor. Enjoy the water views while sitting in your living room, front patio, or two of the upstairs bedr...
12 Trumbo Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 2930027 / Sold
Lovely Charleston home in excellent condition (nice floors, kitchen, etc) near Broad Street and Colonial Lake. Very nice floor plan with both forma...
16 Adgers Wharf
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 2929400 / Sold
Old Charleston meets European charm! You will be amazed at this spectacular renovation with state of the art control system. Touch panel in ever...
175 Wentworth Street UNIT 1/2
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 2928073 / Sold
BACK ON THE MARKET AS BUYER'S FINACING FELL THROUGH FOR THE SECOND TIME!!!BANK OWNED PROPERTY-MAJOR PRICE REDUCTION!!!This is the best price for...
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