def grid(children=[], sizing_mode=None, nrows=None, ncols=None):
    """
    Conveniently create a grid of layoutable objects.

    Grids are created by using ``GridBox`` model. This gives the most control over
    the layout of a grid, but is also tedious and may result in unreadable code in
    practical applications. ``grid()`` function remedies this by reducing the level
    of control, but in turn providing a more convenient API.

    Supported patterns:

    1. Nested lists of layoutable objects. Assumes the top-level list represents
       a column and alternates between rows and columns in subsequent nesting
       levels. One can use ``None`` for padding purpose.

       >>> grid([p1, [[p2, p3], p4]])
       GridBox(children=[
           (p1, 0, 0, 1, 2),
           (p2, 1, 0, 1, 1),
           (p3, 2, 0, 1, 1),
           (p4, 1, 1, 2, 1),
       ])

    2. Nested ``Row`` and ``Column`` instances. Similar to the first pattern, just
       instead of using nested lists, it uses nested ``Row`` and ``Column`` models.
       This can be much more readable that the former. Note, however, that only
       models that don't have ``sizing_mode`` set are used.

       >>> grid(column(p1, row(column(p2, p3), p4)))
       GridBox(children=[
           (p1, 0, 0, 1, 2),
           (p2, 1, 0, 1, 1),
           (p3, 2, 0, 1, 1),
           (p4, 1, 1, 2, 1),
       ])

    3. Flat list of layoutable objects. This requires ``nrows`` and/or ``ncols`` to
       be set. The input list will be rearranged into a 2D array accordingly. One
       can use ``None`` for padding purpose.

       >>> grid([p1, p2, p3, p4], ncols=2)
       GridBox(children=[
           (p1, 0, 0, 1, 1),
           (p2, 0, 1, 1, 1),
           (p3, 1, 0, 1, 1),
           (p4, 1, 1, 1, 1),
       ])

    """
    row = namedtuple("row", ["children"])
    col = namedtuple("col", ["children"])

    def flatten(layout):
        Item = namedtuple("Item", ["layout", "r0", "c0", "r1", "c1"])
        Grid = namedtuple("Grid", ["nrows", "ncols", "items"])

        def gcd(a, b):
            a, b = abs(a), abs(b)
            while b != 0:
                a, b = b, a % b
            return a

        def lcm(a, *rest):
            for b in rest:
                a = (a*b) // gcd(a, b)
            return a

        nonempty = lambda child: child.nrows != 0 and child.ncols != 0

        def _flatten(layout):
            if isinstance(layout, row):
                children = list(filter(nonempty, map(_flatten, layout.children)))
                if not children:
                    return Grid(0, 0, [])

                nrows = lcm(*[ child.nrows for child in children ])
                ncols = sum([ child.ncols for child in children ])

                items = []
                offset = 0
                for child in children:
                    factor = nrows//child.nrows

                    for (layout, r0, c0, r1, c1) in child.items:
                        items.append((layout, factor*r0, c0 + offset, factor*r1, c1 + offset))

                    offset += child.ncols

                return Grid(nrows, ncols, items)
            elif isinstance(layout, col):
                children = list(filter(nonempty, map(_flatten, layout.children)))
                if not children:
                    return Grid(0, 0, [])

                nrows = sum([ child.nrows for child in children ])
                ncols = lcm(*[ child.ncols for child in children ])

                items = []
                offset = 0
                for child in children:
                    factor = ncols//child.ncols

                    for (layout, r0, c0, r1, c1) in child.items:
                        items.append((layout, r0 + offset, factor*c0, r1 + offset, factor*c1))

                    offset += child.nrows

                return Grid(nrows, ncols, items)
            else:
                return Grid(1, 1, [Item(layout, 0, 0, 1, 1)])

        grid = _flatten(layout)

        children = []
        for (layout, r0, c0, r1, c1) in grid.items:
            if layout is not None:
                children.append((layout, r0, c0, r1 - r0, c1 - c0))

        return GridBox(children=children)

    if isinstance(children, list):
        if nrows is not None or ncols is not None:
            N = len(children)
            if ncols is None:
                ncols = math.ceil(N/nrows)
            layout = col([ row(children[i:i+ncols]) for i in range(0, N, ncols) ])
        else:
            def traverse(children, level=0):
                if isinstance(children, list):
                    container = col if level % 2 == 0 else row
                    return container([ traverse(child, level+1) for child in children ])
                else:
                    return children

            layout = traverse(children)
    elif isinstance(children, LayoutDOM):
        def is_usable(child):
            return _has_auto_sizing(child) and child.spacing == 0

        def traverse(item, top_level=False):
            if isinstance(item, Box) and (top_level or is_usable(item)):
                container = col if isinstance(item, Column) else row
                return container(list(map(traverse, item.children)))
            else:
                return item

        layout = traverse(children, top_level=True)
    elif isinstance(children, string_types):
        raise NotImplementedError
    else:
        raise ValueError("expected a list, string or model")

    grid = flatten(layout)

    if sizing_mode is not None:
        grid.sizing_mode = sizing_mode

        for child in grid.children:
            layout = child[0]
            if _has_auto_sizing(layout):
                layout.sizing_mode = sizing_mode

    return grid