What is the Story Behind Charleston Green? - Page 4
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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35 Society Street UNIT B
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
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Experience the allure of Ansonborough with this exceptional one-bedroom, one-bathroom residence that offers the privacy of a home and the convenien...
Reduced -$10,000
78 Vanderhorst Street
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Charleston, SC 29401
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Welcome to 3 Chisolm, a prestigious and captivating gem nestled in the heart of Charleston's sought-after South of Broad neighborhood. Steeped in h...
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Harleston Place
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Welcome to charming Harleston Place. Nestled in Harleston Village, this end unit townhome offers three stories of downtown living. Natural light ba...
309 Meeting Street UNIT #15
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
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PRIME LOCATION - Take a look at the map! This condo is at the core of downtown Charleston. Stroll to the farmers market at Marion Square every Satu...
Reduced -$15,000
14 Lockwood Drive UNIT 12 E
Charleston, SC 29401
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Great opportunity to own a luxurious Penthouse at Ashley House with breathtaking views of the Ashely and Cooper Rivers, Atlantic Ocean and downtown...
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Charleston, SC 29401
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The Gadsden offers luxury condos with incredible amenities and an amazing location.This two bedroom corner unit has breathtaking views of Gadsdenbo...
80 Society Street UNIT C
Charleston, SC 29401
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Experience the epitome of Southern charm in this second-floor 1 bedroom condo, nestled within a historic antebellum mansion in downtown Charleston....
Reduced -$10,000
80 Society Street UNIT E
Charleston, SC 29401
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Welcome to your charming retreat in the heart of downtown Charleston! This first-floor 1 bedroom condo offers the perfect blend of historic charm a...
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The Righton-Chisolm House, circa 1780, is a stunning home sitting at the bend of Church and Water Street. The home was extensively renovated in 202...
154 King Street UNIT A & B
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154 King Street A&B offers the perfect live/work space along coveted King Street, one of the Top 10 Shopping Districts in the country. This 3-story...
17 Princess Street UNIT C & D
Charleston, SC 29401
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Atop one of the highest parts of the peninsula and just steps from the corner of King and Market, this inconspicuous 19th century brick warehouse b...
12 Bee Street UNIT A
Charleston, SC 29403
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This 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath condo in the Historic William Robb House at 12 Bee St is SOLD FURNISHED with OFF STREET PARKING and has been lovingly and ...
5 Bee Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
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Imagine a thoughtfully renovated historic home built in 1890, combined with all of the modern upgrades a discriminating buyer expects in a home. Th...
78 Smith Street
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Historic curb appeal meets modern design - thoughtfully renovated in 2016 by a highly reputable contractor with updated mechanical, electrical, plu...
41 Pitt Street
Charleston, SC 29401
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Welcome to 41 Pitt Street, a unique blend of historic charm and modern comfort! Formerly a cherished church, this remarkable property has been tran...
212 Calhoun Street UNIT A
Charleston, SC 29403
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This spacious first-floor condo is conveniently located on the corner of Calhoun and Pitt Streets, just steps from the College of Charleston and th...
39 Barre Street
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Welcome to 39 Barre Street, a lovely 1950s brick home, nestled on a corner lot in Harleston Village just steps from the City Marina. This property ...
Reduced -$100,000
22 Felix Street
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This charming 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom short term rental (STR) property offers the quintessential downtown Charleston experience. Situated in the vi...