Charleston Green and other Classic Charleston Paint Colors

Posted By AmberHanna Forbes @ Jun 15th 2020 11:20am In: Tips and Tricks

These days the bright painted colors of Rainbow Row are associated with the whimsical charm of Charleston, but there are a few less conspicuous hues that can be found on nearly every historic home in the city.

According to Charleston Magazine, the city’s paint palette is so unique the Historic Charleston Foundation partnered with Sherwin Williams to create “Colors of Historic Charleston” and “Carolina Low Country Collection” paint guides.

Charleston Green

The most famous of all the colors, of course, is Charleston Green which is a green so dark it appears black. However, if you look at it really closely, you’ll be able to see the dark shade of green the old Charleston folk created way back in the day when they decided they wanted to make a color they could call their own.

Haint Blue

Second, to be seen next to Charleston green is definitely Haint Blue. This gorgeous shade comes from the beliefs of our Gullah-Geechee ancestors. Legend has it, if your porch ceiling was painted in Haint Blue it would ward off evil spirits.

Creole Pink

A beachy pink mixed with a sandy beige makes for a soft and light Caribbean pink that’s perfect for a coastal home and matches perfectly with Charleston Green and Haint Blue.

Old Gold

Limewash, a putty-like paste made from crushed limestone, became the preferred finish for buildings built in the Lowcountry. It was easy to apply, resistant to mold, and held color better than oil based paints. Old Gold Yellow was the most popular and, when looked at in the right light, was sometimes said to glimmer.