You need Solar Shades - either fabricated as Rollers or Roman Blinds:

http://www.theshadestore.com/landing/roller-solar

many companies make the solar shades. Make sure you have someone that is familiar with exactly what you need, color option, openess factor, etc. Lutron makes wonderful shades and their motorization is the best in the industry.

have you considered cellular shades? they allow plenty of light, but they are weather-worthy and protect your furniture. ours are topdown/bottom/up shades. they're wonderful.

I still think roman shades are a great solution but you need the proper linings. Blackout lining or thermosuede linings are best for protecting discoloration of fabric. Also, finding fabric that matches closely with the wall color will help the windowtreatments not stand out. I would outside mount them so they can be pulled up to clear the window.

A Hunter Douglas product - Silhouette - would be a great solution. As a shade it disappears when completely up but has many options when down to block light and give privacy. Jeanne McDermott from At Your Service Custom Window Treatments Belmont, MA

Celluar shades may be the way to go! They not only stack compactly so they don't block your view, but they also block uv light to prevent fading and insulate very well. Indeed the top down bottom up function is a great choice if you want some direct light. We have a cord loop shade which is ideal for wide shades that can be top down bottom up. We are the only ones that currently manufacture and offer that combo. Check out our free fabric samples. You can get either light filtering or black out, they both control light and block all UV rays! http://cellularwindowshades.com/samples.html

I would actually recommend going with Ripplefold Sheers or Drapes or you can do both. Its a really great option for you because it will give you the privacy and light control you are looking for , it also can be installed on a traverse rod so its easy to open and close and it also stacks very well so when the window is open you wont lose your view.

http://www.blindsdirectcanada.com/drapery-toronto/panels/ripplefold-drapery.html

http://www.blindsdirectcanada.com/drapery-toronto/sheer-drapery.html

I do like this product...it looks very nice and soft on the eyes!

If you start with window films from 3M or Vista, that will protect your leather furniture and dining room furniture from the sun when you have your window coverings open. The cost is very reasonable, and filters out the most harmful UV without changing the view. The new nickel based films are even more clear than the older silver based films (neither of them change the view from the exterior - they have a transparently thin layer of a metal sandwiched between film - blocking the UV without being seen from either side).

Then you can layer in a contemporary insulating choice after that. Depending on the budget, there are great options from Coulisse, Hunter Douglas, Persona by Comfortex, Allure by Lafayette, Horizons, as well as insulated window treatments out of contemporary fabrics. Because you will have the films on your glass, this will also reduce the fading of other window covering layers.

Do you own your apartment, or do you rent? That also makes a difference on what should be recommended.

Just noticed you posted this two years ago. Hopefully you found a solution.