Well DataGridViews are limited to a single datasource, this does not mean that the datasource can't have data from more than 1 sql table. I know you aren't looking for somebody to write it for you but it is difficult to offer much suggestions.

If you want to keep the background peeking through stuff like you currently do then a DataGrid is not the answer. You may have to add rows of controls to your form. Depending on the situation you can do this dynamically.

If each of the "rows" needs to have all the same controls you might look into creating a user control with the necessary functionality. Then you only need to add 1 of those controls for each row.