What is the Story Behind Charleston Green? - Page 3
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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89 Ashley Avenue
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 24007300 / Active
89 Ashley Avenue is an extraordinary downtown sanctuary which combines Federal Period architecture with modern day opulence. This grand brick Charl...
183 Rutledge Avenue
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 24007210 / Active Contingent
Welcome home to 183 Rutledge! This circa 1840 Charleston single combines old-world charm with modern conveniences. This 4BR 4.5BA home comes with g...
11 Iron Forge Aly
Charleston, SC 29403
City Of Charleston
Residential
MLS# 24007181 / Active Contingent
Welcome to a piece of Charleston's rich history seamlessly woven into modern luxury living with lots of upgrades! Nestled in the heart of downtown ...
40 Laurens Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 24007355 / Active
The grandeur of Downtown Charleston awaits at the Stephen Shrewsbury House in the coveted Ansonborough neighborhood. A solid-brick single house, 40...
55 Ashley Avenue UNIT #23
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 24007159 / Active Contingent
Welcome to the historic Baker House penthouse in downtown Charleston, offering serene private living with city convenience. Situated on the top two...
202 Ashley Avenue UNIT F
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough
Residential
MLS# 24007067 / Active Contingent
Welcome to 202 Ashley Avenue, Unit F, nestled in the heart of Cannonborough! This top-floor condo has been fully renovated and is in move in condit...
9 Tradd Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 24007038 / Active Contingent
Stop compromising and start living in this prime location on high ground in Charleston's old walled city. The expansive rooftop deck offers extende...
1 King Street UNIT #301
Charleston, SC 29401
Fort Sumter House
Residential
MLS# 24007025 / Active Contingent
Welcome to 1 King Street, unit 301! This lovely condo is located on the third level, with one of the larger 1-bedroom balconies. This bright and su...
96 Murray Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 24006823 / Active
Situated on the majestic downtown waterfront, this traditional brick home looks across the newly raised battery promenade on prestigious Murray Bou...
259 Coming Street UNIT A & B
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 24006884 / Active
Welcome to 259 Coming Street, an exquisite Charleston single house steeped in history and charm, nestled in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina...
Reduced -$49,000
1 King Street UNIT #308
Charleston, SC 29401
Fort Sumter House
Residential
MLS# 24006892 / Active Contingent
Beautiful 2 bedroom/2 bath condo in desirable Fort Sumter House.
143 Broad Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 24006886 / Active
Charming Historic Home in the Heart of CharlestonTwo units in one!Welcome to 143 Broad Street, a stunning piece of Charleston's rich history nestle...
Reduced -$120,000
9 Porters Court
Charleston, SC 29403
City Of Charleston
Residential
MLS# 24006766 / Active
Nestled in the coveted Cannonborough-Elliotborough neighborhood, just below the bustling crosstown, 9 Porters Court exudes Charleston charm with a ...
41 Cooper Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Residential
MLS# 24006707 / Active
Here's your rare chance to claim a piece of the Charleston peninsula . This property presents a unique opportunity with a fire damaged home, offeri...
142 President Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Residential
MLS# 24006619 / Active
This newer construction home is located within the short term rental overlay with commercial zoning in downtown Charleston. This 3 bedroom, 3 full ...
79 East Bay Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 24006565 / Active
This charming pied-A -terre is situated in the heart of the historic walled City, on Rainbow Row at the intersection of Tradd and East Bay. The hom...
104 Rutledge Avenue
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 24006555 / Active
The Thomas Bannister Seabrook House, otherwise known as ''Seabrook Manor'' is on a high, prime corner lot in Harleston Village. The home is absolut...
150 Bee Street UNIT #612
Charleston, SC 29401
Bee Street Lofts
Residential
MLS# 24006528 / Active
Welcome to your dream urban oasis! This stunning, modern 6th-floor condo unit offers unparalleled luxury living in the heart of downtown Charleston...
213 Ashley Avenue UNIT A
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough
Residential
MLS# 24006456 / Active Contingent
Welcome to 213 A Ashley Avenue, where charm and history blend seamlessly in this exquisite 1840s Charleston Single house. From the moment you set f...
109 E Bay Street UNIT 2e
Charleston, SC 29401
Printers Row
Residential
MLS# 24006407 / Active
Light, bright, and ready for your lock and leave Charleston Lifestyle! This charming end unit in Printers Row offers 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and a gene...
609 King UNIT #744
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 24008531 / Active
Coming in 2026! The Peninsula of Charleston is an ownership-model, continuing care retirement community (CCRC) on highly desirable upper King Stree...
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