They are supposed to heat 400 sq feet and that is the size of our family room. It doesn't have a blower so I'm not sure how it heats. I think it requires three 40 watt bulbs so I'm not sure how it works. When we get it put together I'll take a picture and put it up. I have my Moms very old oval beveled mirror that I think would lolk nice hanging above but it defientely would need to be anchored in a stud.

It doesn't look any more difficult to put together than all the bookcases, entertainment centers or desks that I have put together. My DH never can understand how to put those things together. He just wants to open the box and start putting things in something without reading the directions. So I decipher them and then he provides the brawn.

Our friends have a gas fireplace that have a thermostat. It never gets any warmer than what you set it to be.