A handle assembly for an appliance door includes a handle frame mounted over a handle aperture defined in the appliance door. The handle frame defines a pocket recess for receiving a pocket handle, which is spaced apart from the handle frame to define an illumination gap for receiving a status indicator, such as a light pipe which may transmit light without directing that light into the pocket recess. The light pipe is illuminated by a lighting assembly including a light board having a plurality of light sources mounted thereon and positioned at a rear of the light pipe, wherein at least two of the light sources illuminate in different colors.