Abstract: The present invention is directed to a decorative sheet useful as an exterior ply in a pressed wood decorative laminate and the method of making such a sheet. The decorative sheet comprises a sheet formed from a genuine vegetable parchment paper having a Sheffield smoothness of about 40 to about 200; a film former, which increases the printability of the paper, on the paper; and an overcoat layer. The sheet may also have a pattern printed thereon. The method includes the steps of providing a genuine vegetable parchment paper, the genuine vegetable parchment paper being coated with a film former; supercalendering the paper; and applying an overcoat layer to the paper. The method may also include the additional step of applying a pattern to the sheet. Typically, the pattern will be a wood grain pattern. The invention also includes a laminate formed by applying the decorative sheet to a substrate.