I find it striking that the improvements to Uppercross Cottage are essentially shallow, all to do with surfaces and the look of the place. Contrast this with the internal changes at Great House, where changes are to do with informality and different ways of living, while the warmth remains.

I predict that that when Mary takes over there will be some 'improvements' which are designed to impress, but the warmth will go out of the place.

Slightly off topic: Some aspects of the Regency 'Cottege Ornee' style turned out to be early manifestations of very long-term trends. The Victorians embraced neo-Gothic style with great enthusiasm - think of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.