Two answers:

1) 8" is NOT too short for an appliance pull.

2) Unless things have changed drastically since last autumn, NONE of the RH pulls are strong enough to act as appliance pulls. Like you, I wanted to use one of their pulls or our refrigerator and freezer. When purchasing some (samples) from my local RH store, I told them what I was up to and they, how to put it, strongly urged me to rethink my choice.

It might be possible for your GC to do some retrofitting / finagling with the screws, but as is, or even when using like-screws, the RH pulls simply aren't meant to pull the kind of heft of any refrigerator door.

I'm sure now that I've written this out others will chime in saying "absolutely! no problem! used them myself!" But based on what I was told by the RH salespeople plus our real-world test at the local mom & pop appliance store (where we purchased the bulk of our appliances), the RH pulls aren't meant to open heavy doors like refrigerator / freezer doors. (The dishwasher should be fine.)

I was really discouraged when I heard / discovered this; I was after polished nickel and they were v. difficult to find in appliance pulls which would marry with our other hardware choices. Frustrating! I eventually did find some, so all turned out okay. Anyway, I'm on your side. I hope you all are able to figure out a way to get longer, heavier, stronger screws in those pulls because they sure look great!

Well, that's not good news. What did you end up using?

I just spoke with my local store and the salesperson suggested that it was "up to my discretion" but that I should be able to finesse it using longer screws. She also said that heat or cold would be a problem, but I have yet to experience my DW being overly hot or my fridge being overly cold...at least not on the outside! ;-)

I am kind of amazed at the limited selection of appliance pulls out there. Things seem to be either quite modern or so traditional as to be overwrought for my tastes.

My kitchen will lean toward contemporary and somehow, having everything be the same is what I had envisioned. That said, I have seen some wonderful examples of mixed hardware here, though mostly in vintage style kitchens. I suppose I have to resist my urge to matchy-match!

I know -- it is discouraging!

Ours is (now) one of those becoming-ubiquitous white perimeter / black island "classic" kitchens (marble & butcher block countertops, etc.). We have RH glass knobs and their polished nickel bin pulls. So while we do have different styles I also like matchy-matchy!

The appliance pulls (used on our refrigerator, freezer and then a smaller version on our broom "closet" pull-out) are Belwith-Keeler Studio (now known as Hickory Hardware Studio). For my matchy-matchy I needed polished nickel with lines which make sense with our other hardware, and this was it. Yea!

Sorry I'm not of more help .... I really do know how frustrating it is to search for appliance pulls which go with the rest of your hardware. Someone here ended up getting the same pulls as is on their oven: they purchased two more oven handles (from the manufacturer -- I guess they're replacement parts?) and had them installed on their fridge and freezer. ??? I'll keep my eyes open, too. What finish do you want them in?

Do any of these do it for you? We've been happy with the sturdiness of their cabinet pulls. (The appliance pulls come in more colors than shown.)

Here is a link that might be useful: Atlas Homewares' Appliance Pulls

Well, that's exactly the pull I have been looking at, only in Satin Nickel. So, nevermind "not helpful."

Here's my issue. I have soft rounded handles now. I chose them because they feel great in the hand. I am really interested in ergonomics as well as aesthetics. The Studio pull would look right with some of the RH square pulls (Strande, Quincy...) and they'd look good with the slightly Craftsman look of the kitchen, but how do they feel? Does that handle dig into your hand when you give it a yank? Do you wish it were rounded? Am I being crazy? :-)

If I stay with one of the softer rounded handles (like Bistro or Aubrey) what would you think of the American Diner pull by HH? see below Sometimes, I think that these things we obsess about just disappear after the job is done and we go back to living life.

Another thought I had was that maybe I should let a knob drive the choice. I wasn't originally going to use knobs, but now I don't know. Those square knobs at RH make my heart skip a beat...

My cabs will be the formerly-ubiquitous-now-passé cherry Shaker door. I did see one kitchen here that used SZ-style bar pulls on cabs and appliances and it really smartened up the room and everything matched!. I might consider that if all else fails...

Here is a link that might be useful: American Diner

Hi, Cate. We crossposted...

I love the look of th Atlas pulls, particularly the Modern Craftsman. I worry a bit that it will be hard on the hand (see my post above to RMKitchen) and also wonder if a kitchen full of that will be too much of a good thing.

What looks like it will feel the best is the Arch at the top of the page. I should take a look at the rest of the Atlas site (thanks for the link) and see if I can be inspired...

I know exactly what you mean about hand-friendly (although you phrased it more eloquently ...), and I was concerned about it for the appliance pulls. So I figured we'd do the same "test" with the Studio pulls.

You'll just have to take my word for it (unless you're near Boulder, CO, in which case please come over to try for yourself!) that they are surprisingly comfortable. Not as in "comfortable for being a square handle" but just outright comfortable. It's a beefy handle and the edges are eased, so there's nothing sharp pressing into your palm.

I also know what you mean about the consistency of shapes -- curved / rounded with the like, square with the like. At first it was a hard leap for me to go with the Studio pulls but amysrq, I was desperate! Maybe (I'm sure) others will feel the square appliance pulls fight the curved bin pulls / round glass knobs we have, but I don't know ... I like it! I think they really work together. Maybe because there's a similarity of era of the various pulls / knobs? Or maybe I'm part nutjob and have bad taste. (although, totally immodestly, I think I have fabulous taste!)

Right now I cannot recall the manufacturer's name but there's at least one (if not more) who makes an appliance pull similar to the Aubrey pull. I'll need some time to search the net for it, but when I find it I'll post back with it.

By the way, I think there is nothing passe sounding about your kitchen. I think it sounds classic and gorgeous! (I know you were writing tongue-in-cheek, but a cherry Shaker door is delicious!)

No, 8" is above average - oh, wait a minute, you were talking about cabinet pulls - never mind :-)

Very funny weissman! I am getting another AG DCS, btw. Like you, I continue to be a fan.

Well, I went to RH yesterday just to see how everything feels. The Bistro won for the friendliest feel. What I remembered from the last time around is that in addition to being smooth-edged, projection makes a huge difference in my experience of comfort. The Bistro has the largest projection, by virtue of its arced shape.

So, I wonder if you know what the projection of the Studio appl pull is, RM. I would love to come to Boulder with my tape measure (thanks for the invite!) but it's a bit far. ;-)

The other interesting thing that happened at RH is that I really fell for the Adeline knob. It is a softened rectangle and I think it would be a nice compliment to the Shaker doors and the 1x3 subway backsplash. It looks totally different on the website because of the way it is photographed. This makes me a bit crazy and shakes my faith in online shopping. The area we are moving to has far fewer options for "real life" shopping, so in the midst of packing to move 1500 miles, I think I'd better visit a few hardware places...

Incidentally, the square knobs were quite sharp. Not nice at all by me.

So, I think the knob goes with the cab pull and the cab pull goes with the appl pull and the appl pull goes with the knob...buu-ut I am not convinced they all three work together. (Deliver me.)

RM, I do think you have done a splendid job mixing, btw. I only hope I will be as successful.

topping for RmKitchens...I have to admit, hardware has been placed on a back burner until I get moved and can actually see the cab door. In the meantime, I am obsessing about lighting. The house is "green" and my choices are limited to fluorescent or LEDs. It's a tough go.

I am thinking Bistro pulls in some as yet undetermined length, the Adeline knob and probably the Liberty Colossus Blueprint fridge pull...just because it is a knuckle-pleasing arc and has a generic enough look. I think the HH Studio, as much as I like it, is too "sharp" (looking) for the soft curvy stuff I am leaning toward at the moment.

And I still think it takes a pretty fuerte 12 y.o. to do what you did! ;-)

You have made such thoughtful, beautiful choices! I really like the American Diner pull but the Liberty Colossus is even better, amysrq. I love its clean lines with the hint of curve: that long and lean rectangle makes perfect sense with the clean lines of your Shaker cabinetry and the curve gives a subtle touch of modern. Now this is my prejudice, but I really like a hint of modern in a classic space and a hint of classic in a modern space. I think it just pumps it up and makes the room feel fresh, not stale. Additionally, I like the base of the Colossus better than the base of the American Diner (AD has a little too much detail).

Based on the online photo of RH's Adeline pull it and the Colossus will go together beautifully without being too matchy-matchy (even though both you and I like things which match, it can sometimes go too far and show a lack of creativity). Clearly, you are creative! Look at your green building project. Wow.

I agree, I think the HH Studio pull would just be wrong in your kitchen (based on my visualization of it, I mean) -- it's too square and wrong in feel. And the more I think about it, the more I think the Studio style isn't really right for a Shaker cabinet -- too much square and too much detail at the base (which would be inconsistent with the Shaker style).

I measured our Studio pull and the clearance (area for your knuckles) is a hair more than 1.25".

Good luck with your lighting; I'm pretty ignorant about that so I totally applaud what you're doing and am really looking forward to seeing your in-progress / finished pictures! (no pressure -- you have a b-i-g trip ahead of you!)

And thank you again for your nice words about my pre-teen self.