Sometimes little things – like putting a vase with a few cut flowers on the table where I eat – energize me, and make an okay day seem like a great day. People a hundred years ago also appreciated cut flowers. According to a 1920 home economics cookbook, in a chapter titled Serving Luncheons:
Fresh flowers give a lovely touch to the dining table, but they must not obstruct the view of persons sitting opposite each other (Fig. 69). Flowers may be kept fresh for several days if the water is changed daily.
Household Arts for Home and School (Vol. 2) (1920) by Anna M. Cooley and Wilhelmina H. Spohr
A Hundred Years Ago 
I love having flowers inside. My roses will bloom soon.
It doesn’t take many misplaced bouquets to learn the lesson about keeping the sight lines open!
Those were slower, gentler times.
I love having cut flowers on the dinner table, especially ones fresh from a garden. There was a woman selling some from her garden at the farmers market and the composition of the bouquets would change as the weeks passed.
Timeless advice indeed!
I love to have flowers on the table!
There is something comforting in knowing that this one thing has not changed in a century. We love our flowers throughout all time. Lovely post, Sheryl.
I’ve never been a fan of cut flowers – especially as my Grandmother would put peonies on the table and invariably there would be a big black ant fall and scurry around the plates… I do think the floral arrangements that are low or a single bloom floating in water can perk up a table.
Timeless truth!
I remember earning a bead in Camp Fire by making a bouquet for the table. It was novel in my house and probably not appreciated by my siblings reaching all over to grab food!
Almost took a few of the most delicate white stars today for my table, but they were not mine, and resisted. Such shall prompt a walk-by tomorrow. To be enjoyed, once more.
I love flowers from the garden or yard…especially those picked by little hands with sparkling eyes!
I think people have always enjoyed bringing flowers indoors. Yes, good advice re placement!xxx