Sheraton, << SHEHR uh tuhn >>, Thomas (1751-1806), was an English furniture designer. His reputation is based chiefly on a book of influential furniture designs called The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer’s Drawing Book (1791-1794). Like other design books of the late 1700’s, the Drawing Book recorded current tastes in furniture styles. Furniture that followed the styles in the book became known as Sheraton.
Furniture in the Sheraton style was popular in England from about 1790 to 1805 and in the United States from about 1795 to 1810. The style featured straight outlines, slender legs, and simple decorations. A typical Sheraton chair has a rectangular back. Common decorations include diamond and oval shapes and designs that suggest lyres or vases. Sheraton was born at Stockton-on-Tees, near Middlesbrough. He died on Oct. 22, 1806.
