What is the Story Behind Charleston Green?
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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150 Spring Street UNIT A
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 24012397 / Active
FULLY LICENSED STR UNIT with revenue! Traditional Charleston meets modern design is what you will find in this refined property by Cozy Development...
150 Spring Street UNIT B
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 24012398 / Active
FULLY LICENSED STR UNIT with revenue! Traditional Charleston meets modern design is what you will find in this refined property by Cozy Development...
33 Society Street UNIT A
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 24012383 / Active
Historic Ansonborough residence perfectly situated at the edge of one of the peninsula's most coveted boroughs! 33 Society exudes Charleston charm ...
609 King Street UNIT #745
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 24012372 / Active
Coming in 2026! The Peninsula of Charleston is an ownership-model, continuing care retirement community (CCRC) on highly desirable upper King Stree...
609 King Street UNIT #647
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 24012353 / Active
Coming in 2026! The Peninsula of Charleston is an ownership-model, continuing care retirement community (CCRC) on highly desirable upper King Stree...
80 Church Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 24012333 / Active
Quintessentially Charleston, exceptionally refined, and ideally located, this charming South of Broad home sits perfectly on the corner of Tradd an...
62 1/2 Cannon Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 24012317 / Active
Excellent investment opportunity in legal STR district! Large duplex located in the heart of Charleston's highly sought-after Cannonbourgh Neighbor...
14 Lockwood Drive UNIT 1i
Charleston, SC 29401
Ashley House
Residential
MLS# 24012319 / Active
Welcome to downtown Charleston living at its finest! Nestled in the historic Ashley House, this charming condo offers the perfect blend of modern c...
181 Queen Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 24012261 / Active
Step into a piece of Charleston history; the St. Amand/ Aimar house at 181 Queen Street was built in 1841, the same year the Charleston City Market...
254 Saint Philip Street UNIT A
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 24012205 / Active
RENOVATED SHORT TERM RENTAL READY FOR OPERATION IN JUNE 2024! Traditional Charleston meets modern design is what you will find in this newly refine...
609 King Street UNIT #704
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 24012104 / Active
Coming in 2026! The Peninsula of Charleston is an ownership-model, continuing care retirement community (CCRC) on highly desirable upper King Stree...
4 Halsey Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 24012150 / Active
This lovingly maintained two story Charleston single style residence in Harleston Village is located only steps away from Cannon Park. The house wa...
67 Legare Street UNIT #301
Charleston, SC 29401
Crafts House
Residential
MLS# 24012095 / Active
Introducing an extraordinary opportunity to own a piece of Charleston's rich history at the Crafts House, a meticulously converted luxury condo tha...
33 Lockwood Drive UNIT A-3
Charleston, SC 29401
The Harborage At Ashley Marina
Residential
MLS# 24012027 / Active
A-3 might be the best slip in the entire marina. Steps away from the parking lot make caring your gear a breeze. No long walk hundreds of yards fro...
7 Logan Street UNIT B
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 24011982 / Active
Located in Historic Downtown Charleston and South of Broad, this 2 BR/1BA condo is quite the find! It has hardwood floors, an eat-in kitchen, a lig...
84 King Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 24011963 / Active Contingent
Nestled in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina, 84 King Street exudes timeless elegance and modern convenience. Built in 1785, this me...
12 Ashley Avenue
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 24011881 / Active
Nestled in the heart of the coveted South of Broad neighborhood, this 1935 traditional brick home exudes timeless elegance in an unparalleled locat...
35 Society UNIT I
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 24011775 / Active
Indulge in the epitome of city living with this circa 1850's renovated two-bedroom, two-bathroom residence nestled in an original carriage house of...
11 West Street UNIT A
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 24011800 / Active
This Southern Charmer 1 bedroom 1 bathroom unit with deeded parking is located in the heart of downtown Charleston. When parking is hard to find, t...
65 Logan Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 24011686 / Active Contingent
Nestled among a charming row of quintessential historic Charleston homes stands 65 Logan Street. Impeccably maintained and restored using the highe...
61 Warren Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 24011581 / Active
Immerse yourself in the allure of Charleston's historic charm fused seamlessly with modern luxury in this exquisite Charleston Single House. Once o...
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