For Amanda Hark and Jeffrey Osborne, it’s function first, beauty second. But browsing the firm’s portfolio of stylishly designed environments, it’s easy to overlook the effort that has gone into creating such successful spaces. “The myth is that this business is all about the decadence of pulling together beautiful homes,” says Hark, “but it’s really 95 percent pure hard work, five percent glamour. The level of tedium and attention to detail is exhausting, but rewarding when the client’s expectations are exceeded; we live for that part!”

The duo, both principals of Boston-based Hark+Osborne Interior Design, do make it look easy, though. Perhaps it’s due to the fact that, while they only launched the company in 2009, they had previously spent six years working together at one of the city’s top interior design firms. “We hit it off and realized we shared the same design sensibility, and most importantly, bonded from day one,” Hark explains. Both dreamed of running their own firm, so when the time was right, Hark+Osborne was hatched.

Current projects include a townhouse in the South End, a super luxe condo in a renovated Back Bay mansion, and a Newport, R.I., beach house. Prospective clients will soon have them expanding into Connecticut and New York, and they are currently designing a line of handmade Tibetan rugs for Beauvais in New York and Steven King in Boston to be released under their eponymous label.

For a project in Chestnut Hill [shown here], Hark and Osborne had the fun challenge of finding ways to represent each spouse’s very different aesthetic and give the clients what they wanted: an edited, eclectic home. With every project, livability and layout of a home comes first. Once any physical issues are addressed, the two focus on outfitting a space with furnishings that make sense for the occupants. Here, the homeowners love to entertain and throw large parties using both their indoor and outdoor areas. As Osborne says, “We like our projects to reflect a client’s lifestyle first and personality second.”

They both also believe that successful design creates a sense of comfort and ease no matter how large or intimidating the home. “We’ve designed living rooms that are 60-feet long, but still manage to make them feel intimate.”

The designers caution newlyweds to pay attention to the size and scale of furniture and to purchase the best sofas one can afford. “Flea markets, auctions and estate sales can yield amazing finds,” adds Hark, who frequents the Brimfield show with partner Osborne. Timeless furnishings and lighting won’t need to be replaced frequently. If you want to follow trends, do so with toss pillows and accessories.

In the end, Hark recommends that couples “take the time to look for pieces that reflect who you are and consult with a designer to help you attain your goals for your home.”