About Ernest

J. Ernest Chiles is a native of Blackstone, Virginia. He moved to Carteret County, NC and is the founder, and creative mastermind behind Flowers and Designs by Ernest.

A most memorable professional accomplishment, as a floral designer, was when he was selected to be a part of a select group of floral designers from across the country to decorate the White House at Christmas for President Ronald Reagan and First Lady, Nancy Reagan. In the years that followed, he traveled with Elizabeth Taylor and John Warner as part of Warner’s campaign for US Senator. Ernest had the distinguished pleasure of serving as the floral designer for Elizabeth Taylor during the years she was married to John Warner.

Flowers and Designs by Ernest is an acclaimed floral design business in Carteret County, but Ernest’s contributions and impact on the industry reach beyond the local area. He is a well-known consultant throughout North Carolina for weddings and commercial and residential interior design projects.

His leadership roles within the industry are documented in a national level. Ernest has served on many design panels for Florist Transworld Diversity (FTD) as well as many wholesale florist shows.

About Wendi

Wendi Oliver teams up with Ernest to carry on his legacy, tradition, and vision. She brings with her a wealth of experience in retail sales and marketing through her management, communication, organizational skills, and pure love of wine.

Wendi and her husband of 30 years have co-owned several businesses. Through collaborative efforts she built Beaufort’s largest wine shop with over 300 labels, managed 150+ events annually and was invited to teach Professional Wine Appreciation Classes through the Carteret Community College.

She successfully ran an aircraft cleaning business, caring for Cessna, Flex Jet, and NetJets each month for more than nine years.

Wendi is all about Education, Children and Community preservation. She has volunteered on numerous boards over the years. Hill Center in Durham, Duke Children’s Hospital, Children’s Flight of Hope, Crystal Coast Hospice House, and currently a Board member for the Carteret Community College Foundation.

As a late bloomer, Wendi graduated in 2021 from University of Mt. Olive with her Associate Science Degree. In 2022 she pursued her dream of becoming a Sommelier, where she attained her WSET Level 2.