About a year ago I was dying to own one of these Grid bookcases, but wasn’t finding any that were the right size for my space, so per usual I went to Papa J (my dad) and asked if he’d help me make it.

Let me clarify- when I say my dad and I built this… Papa J is blind.

As a bat.

So most of the time I come up with some crazy idea and how I think I can make it, and he reins me in and tells me how to do it. But I’m the one doing all the sawing, drilling, sanding and painting while he stands there holding things together with his brute strength, looking pretty.

Well as pretty as any mid-Fifties papa can.

Let me take a minute and talk about Power tools. I LOVE them. And I love knowing how to use them correctly. I feel as comfortable wielding a jig-saw as I do a bronzer brush. My Ryobi quick-release power drill is still one of my favorite and most used Christmas gifts to date. If you don’t have one, get one. Seriously. It’ll make you feel like a total boss.

I was super lucky to grow up with a pretty handy dad when it came to building things (pre vision loss), so he always had me help with the projects, which is where I learned most of my home improvement skills. I also took a few construction classes in college so that helped too… But building this bookcase was super easy and just about any one can make it!

To build this bookcase we needed a few things: 1x 4’x8′ particle board, screws, sandpaper and some paint. That’s it! Super easy.

First, while we were still at Home Depot we had all of the pieces cut. Home Depot has this INSANE saw that can cut a whole 8 foot board in whatever dimensions you want.

Second, we used a table saw to cut 1″ divots into each board to create and interlocking grid. This idea came from the interlocking pieces of cardboard you can find in a box of wine to keep the bottles from clanking. If you don’t know what I’m talking about… you need some more wine Wednesdays in your life.

Next, we used wood clue on all the joints and screwed in each side so that the frame and shelves would be secure.

Finally, I threw a couple coats of white paint and voila! Custom bookcase. It took about 5 hours in total with all of the building and painting, but I couldn’t be happier with the results.